Cade Lucas
Altona food workers at one of the country’s biggest bakeries are on strike after negotiations for a new wage agreement broke down.
Staff at Allied Pinnacle’s bakery distribution plant walked off the job at 6am on Wednesday, May 14 and will remain on strike until 6am on Friday, May 16.
The 150 workers represented by the United Workers Union (UWU) are demanding a 15 per cent wage increase over the next three years from Allied Pinnacle which is Australia’s leading provider of flour, bakery ingredients, and prepared baked goods.
According to the UWU, which has been negotiating with Allied Pinnacle since last September, the company is offering wage increases of 4 per cent, 3.75 per cent and 3.5 per cent for each of the next three years.
UWU food and beverage coordinator Adam Auld said after enduring years of rising prices due to the cost of living crisis, Allied Pinnacle’s offer left his members with no choice but to go on strike.
“Wage offers with a three or a four in front of them just don’t cut it in the face of food, housing, medical, petrol, school and care costs,” Mr Auld said.
“Workers need a real wage increase.”
Mr Auld said the strike was a challange to the company’s senior management.
“We will be calling on chief executive David Pitt and chief people officer Mofoluwaso Ilevbare to come and hear from workers in Altona and intervene in these negotiations so that workers can get back to work producing the baked goods we love.”
In a statement to Star Weekly, Allied Pinnacle wouldn’t confirm if senior managers would meet with the striking workers or if negotiations were ongoing.
“Allied Pinnacle respects the rights of its employees to engage in industrial action and is committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement,” said a spokesperson for the company.
Allied Pinnacle supplies baked goods to customers across the country, including major supermarkets, independent and industrial bakeries and smaller cafes and retailers.
The company spokesperson said the strike was not expected to disrupt the distribution and availability of its products.
