Tasmanian Workers Achieve Pay Parity at Saputo’s Burnie Factory After 20-Week Strike
Source: DairyNews.today
Workers at Saputo’s Burnie dairy factory in Tasmania have secured pay parity with their interstate colleagues after a prolonged 20-week strike, marking what unions are calling a major victory for local workers. Maintenance staff will receive a 21.7% wage increase, aligning their pay with that of Saputo employees in Victoria who perform similar roles.
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) announced the successful resolution of the strike on Tuesday, celebrating the win as a significant milestone for Tasmanian labor rights. Saputo produces well-known dairy brands such as Devondale, Cheer, Cracker Barrel, and Tasmanian Heritage, brands that unions had boycotted during the industrial action.
AMWU Tasmania State Secretary Jacob Batt expressed pride in the workers' efforts, describing the outcome as a win not just for Saputo employees but for all Tasmanians. "AMWU and CEPU members and their families have shown incredible strength, and this agreement is a win not only for them but all Tasmanians. This result has shown loudly that Tasmanians are no longer the poor cousin of the mainland," he said.
CEPU Tasmania State Secretary Chris Clark emphasized the broader implications for worker equality across the state. “This outcome is testament to the resilience and unity of these union members, who stood together to show Tasmanian workers must be treated the same as those in other states,” he said. Clark added that the unions look forward to a cooperative future with Saputo built on “respect and trust.”
Political leaders also applauded the workers' determination. Labor leader Dean Winter commended the unions and workers for their perseverance, saying, “The Saputo workers stood up on behalf of all Tasmanian workers to prove that we aren’t worth less.” Greens workplace relations minister Helen Burnet also described the outcome as a major victory.
AMWU Tasmania State Secretary Jacob Batt expressed pride in the workers' efforts, describing the outcome as a win not just for Saputo employees but for all Tasmanians. "AMWU and CEPU members and their families have shown incredible strength, and this agreement is a win not only for them but all Tasmanians. This result has shown loudly that Tasmanians are no longer the poor cousin of the mainland," he said.
CEPU Tasmania State Secretary Chris Clark emphasized the broader implications for worker equality across the state. “This outcome is testament to the resilience and unity of these union members, who stood together to show Tasmanian workers must be treated the same as those in other states,” he said. Clark added that the unions look forward to a cooperative future with Saputo built on “respect and trust.”
Political leaders also applauded the workers' determination. Labor leader Dean Winter commended the unions and workers for their perseverance, saying, “The Saputo workers stood up on behalf of all Tasmanian workers to prove that we aren’t worth less.” Greens workplace relations minister Helen Burnet also described the outcome as a major victory.
