By Evan Young and Alana Beitz
Thousands of union workers marched today from AFL House in Docklands to the steps of Parliament to protest the sacking of 55 Carlton United Brewery (CUB) workers.
Traffic in Melbourne’s CBD came to a standstill as police closed Bourke Street for the protest.
The rally was lead by the sacked 55 fitters and electricians, members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU).
CUB made cuts to maintenance staff at its Abbotsford brewery in June this year under the controversial Catalyst Services Enterprise Agreement 2014.
ABC Radio National on Twitter: “The EA at the centre of the #CUB55 dispute was voted on by three casual workers https://t.co/xjU4OFvOuB pic.twitter.com/peqalKZcYF / Twitter”
The EA at the centre of the #CUB55 dispute was voted on by three casual workers https://t.co/xjU4OFvOuB pic.twitter.com/peqalKZcYF
Under the agreement, workers were sacked and then asked to reapply for their jobs at up to 65 per cent wage cut and reduced conditions.
CUB workers have picketed the Abbotsford brewery in the three months since the agreement, which unions have slammed as “illegitimate”.
Multiple unions at the protest urged Australians to boycott CUB products including Carlton Draught, Crown Lager and Australia’s most popular beer, Victoria Bitter.
Victorian Trades Hall Council on Twitter: “Just a few thousand of the Victorian workers who are definitely NOT drinking CUB for the #CUB55 pic.twitter.com/mkJk7xc0CP / Twitter”
Just a few thousand of the Victorian workers who are definitely NOT drinking CUB for the #CUB55 pic.twitter.com/mkJk7xc0CP
The protest called on the AFL to urge CUB, one of its major sponsors, to meet with the sacked workers and re-employ them at their original wage.
AMWU State Secretary Steve Dargavel warned if CUB doesn’t re-employ the sacked workers, there would be a “CUB beer-free footy finals season”.
“CUB used to be the beer of working people, enjoyed at the game of working people. But CUB has turned its back on its own workers and there is now a real risk that there will be a shortage of beer for the upcoming footy finals,” he said.
Jack Kilbride on Twitter: “Protestors are calling for the AFL to boycott all CUB products in support of the CUB 55 @abcnewsMelb pic.twitter.com/sWHNgsnK9H / Twitter”
Protestors are calling for the AFL to boycott all CUB products in support of the CUB 55 @abcnewsMelb pic.twitter.com/sWHNgsnK9H
Federal Member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt addressed the protesters on the steps of Parliament and showed support for their cause.
“Employers should not be able to say you are a permanent employee this month, but if you want your job next month, you’ve got to work for a labor hire firm at cut price wages,” he said.
“If it can happen like that under our laws now, no one’s wages and conditions are safe.”
Thousands of Brisbane based unionists also downed tools at midday and rallied through Brisbane’s CBD in a similar protest to show solidarity with the 55 sacked workers of CUB.
QCU on Twitter: “#CUB55 rally in Bris Valley streets taking msg straight to corporate wage cutting fat cats @etuqldnt @AMWUQldNT pic.twitter.com/0PM4kj2y3C / Twitter”
CUB55 rally in Bris Valley streets taking msg straight to corporate wage cutting fat cats @etuqldnt @AMWUQldNT pic.twitter.com/0PM4kj2y3C
Feature image by Evan Young
