In contrast to recent rain, Wednesday morning delivered glorious sunshine for workers involved in two separate industrial actions outside Saputo’s Leongatha plant.
Process workers represented by the United Workers Union (UWU) and milk tanker drivers represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) formed the two groups.
Both groups are there for 48 hours, with those from the UWU establishing a presence at 6am Wednesday, while the TWU contingent have been at their site since Tuesday at 3am.
“We’re after a reasonable pay increase,” UWU delegate Con Tringas said, with fellow delegate Clint Munn adding that better work conditions are also being sought.
“We work 12 hours; we want to be paid 12 hours,” Clint said, explaining that workers aren’t paid for meal breaks but production doesn’t stop.
He said workers are seeking 120 hours of sick leave, and paid time off for those who are fulfilling volunteer responsibilities with emergency services, up to 10 days per year.
The pay increase being asked for is 5 percent per year over three years, totalling 15 percent, with Con stressing the challenges of increased costs of living including food, fuel and rent.
Despite the industrial action, work continued inside the plant, which produces butter and UHT milk.
At the TWU picket line, Sentinel-Times was told the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement applying to tanker drivers expired in June, with negotiations continuing on a new agreement.
A driver dismissed reports that tanker drivers are pursuing a 30 percent pay increase over three years.
He said negotiations are currently at around 12 percent increase over that period, labelling that close to what is being asked for.
“We’re somewhere near agreement on pay but we want clarity about holiday leave payments,” the driver said.
The holiday pay issue relates to rates for night shift drivers.
“We’ve arranged a meeting for this Friday and we’re hoping there will be a resolution, and we’re happy to negotiate,” the driver said.
He stressed that milk tanker drivers haven’t taken industrial action in Leongatha for over 40 years.
The driver said that many dairy farmers have been supportive of the TWU industrial action, while others have expressed anger, putting the latter down to a perception the pay increase being pursued is substantially higher than the reality.
Both groups taking industrial action expressed their appreciation of the public support, with plenty of toots of car and truck horns heard during the Sentinel-Times visit.
Meanwhile ABC Gippsland is reporting that thousands of litres have been tipped down the drain after milk tankers failed to pick up milk. See details:
