WHEN: TODAY 10am, 21 November 2022
WHERE: 11-13 Sunshine Rd, West Footscray VIC 3012
WHO: Pastry workers and United Workers Union spokesperson Andy Giles available to speak to media at indefinite strike action
More than 50 pastry and pie makers at Pampas today stopped work indefinitely to win job security for long time casuals and a fair pay rise.
Workers at Pampas have been stuck in labour hire casual jobs for 10, 15 and 20 years.
Workers that have gone without sick pay and holiday pay for up to two decades are also paid less than permanent workers doing same job.
Pampas supplies the popular mince pies sold at Baker’s Delight. The strike will be a blow to any mince pie fans hoping to stock up this Christmas with operations at the plant grinding to a halt. Pampas also supplies Coles and Woolworths with Australia’s trusted frozen pastry lines and make the popular Helga’s wraps line.
Pampas is owned by Goodman Fielder who generated over a 1 billion AUD in revenue in 2021. Earlier this month an offer from management was overwhelmingly rejected by workers. Since that time the company have worsened their offer.
Most workers at the site, who are predominately are from migrant backgrounds, earn $27.61 an hour and are struggling to make ends meet as inflation soars above 7%.
Workers want more than 15 workers converted to direct employment and an increase of about $1.60 per hour each year for three years. Workers are ready to stay on strike as long as it takes to win their claims on job security and fair pay.
Quotes attributable to Andy Giles, Organiser, United Workers Union:
“Pampas workers are aren’t interested in this crummy deal. They want an agreement that gives workers job security and a fair pay rise that recognises rising cost of living.
“We are hearing a lot in the news right now about how workers in Australia need a pay rise. These are those workers.
“Pampas is willing to risk a national pastry and mince pie shortage just because they want to keep long-term, skilled, committed workers on low wages and stressful, insecure contracts.”
ENDS
NOTE: Everyone attending this event will be expected to adhere to the COVID Safe Plan in place at the site
Media contact: 1300 898 633 [email protected]