A Queensland government minister has condemned Carlton & United Breweries over its treatment of workers at a state awards ceremony where the brewing group was a major sponsor.
Steven Miles, the state environment minister, briefly thanked CUB before publicly declaring he was shunning its beer at the Queensland premier’s sustainability awards on Thursday.
“I love CUB beer but I won’t be having one tonight,” he told the audience in Brisbane.
“I’m boycotting CUB beer in protest after they sacked 55 workers and offered them their jobs back with a 65% pay cut. I, for one, don’t think anyone should be treated like that. So I look forward tonight to sharing a glass of wine with you all.”
Observers said this prompted a frosty response from a CUB representative, who pointedly snubbed Miles by refusing to shake his hand when joining him onstage to present the “Business Ecoefficiency award”.
Miles noted, “looks like I’ve hurt the feelings of a giant South African owned multi-national”, when posting a video of his speech on Facebook on Friday.
“I tried to be as respectful as I could, but I don’t see why someone would want to be in a job like this if they can’t speak up about things they feel strongly about.
“I think it’s even more important to speak up when it’s a bit uncomfortable or controversial.”
A spokeswoman for CUB declined to comment.
It is understood CUB has been a sponsor – and provider of beer at the event – for about a decade.
The sackings of the 55 maintenance workers in June prompted a widespread publicity campaign and boycotts against CUB, including by pubs in Victoria.
CUB was acquired by Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev last month as part of its takeover of South Africa’s SABMiller group, which had bought CUB in 2011.
SABMiller claimed the treatment of the workers was legal and the prerogative of a maintenance subcontractor with which it had no direct contractual relationship. It did not directly comment on the inferior conditions offered to the workers.
