BROWNES DAIRY WORKERS STAND UNITED WITH THIRD STRIKE IN NEGOTIATION STALE MATE

Transport Workers Union (TWU) members at Brownes Dairy will begin their third round of industrial action this Sunday, walking off the job for 82 hours, after repeated bargaining meetings have left workers frustrated by what they describe as a lack of respect, no movement on key claims, and growing uncertainty around job security.

Warehouse workers, who make up 85% of union membership, will withdraw their labour at 6:00am on Sunday, May 16th, for 82 hours, ending on Wednesday, May 19th, at 4:00pm. 

On Monday, May 17th, at 6:00am, there will be a picket line outside Brownes Dairy, at 22 Geddes Street Balcatta, with TWU members, officials and other union representatives. 

TWU members have been fair in their claims for a modest wage increase to keep up with inflation, and after 12 failed bargaining meetings, have seen no intention to compromise from the company.

With Brownes currently under acquisition, representatives have openly said they want an “attractive” enterprise agreement for the sale, insisting that workers absorb the cost of rising CPI, poor job security and little to no secondary parental leave, while they bank all the profits. 

Furthermore, in the last bargaining meeting, Brownes said they would only consider wage increases if employees accepted cuts to existing conditions in their next agreement.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO TWU WA STATE SECRETARY TIM DAWSON:

“By suggesting a cut to conditions, Brownes is more focused on making a profit, rather than supporting the workers who keep the business running with safe conditions and a wage that accurately covers the rising cost of living.”

“Since members went on strike in April, delegates have been stood down with no evidence of wrong-doing, police called during legal strikes, and organisers stopped from meeting with members.”

“The TWU will not back down from management that is insistent on intimidating its workers. Our members are the backbone of the company, and instead of negotiating in good faith, Brownes would rather risk disruptions to its services by relying on less experienced labour hire workers for more than three days, than compromise with the workers.”

“That decision does not just impact workers, it affects the public too. Brownes is putting its own interests ahead of stable services, experienced staff and respectful negotiations.”