Workers at Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books have announced they will go on a five-day strike in the lead up to Christmas as part of their campaign for better wages and conditions.
The Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU) posted on social media that members had “rejected management’s lousy offer and unanimously voted for a 5-day strike into Christmas”. Workers will be on strike from Saturday December 20 to Wednesday December 24.
This follows a two-day strike over December 13–14 and ongoing industrial action including bans on restocking shelves and receiving stock.
RAFFWU members have been negotiating with Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books for a new agreement to replace their expired 13-year-old rotten zombie cafe agreement which cuts conditions and wages below the award minimum.
Harry Hartog Penrith delegate Jess said management's offer was “just not good enough”.
RAFFWU said: “Despite six bargaining meetings across the past three months, the employers refuse to guarantee workers basic job security and fair treatment protections – let alone a fair agreement with living wages.”
RAFFWU delegate Ally Bodnaruk said workers “love books and our community” but “passion for books doesn't pay the rent”. “We want secure jobs, fair treatment and to be paid a living wage.”
RAFFWU spokesperson Josh Cullinan said on social media that the employer's response has been “outrageous”. “They are encouraging outrageous abuse, threats and intimidation of workers for engaging in the legally protected right to take industrial action.
“We have had bizarre incidents of offenders coming into stores and saying the employer told them to be there to abuse and harass workers.”
When workers told bosses, they were told not to report to the police and just to file an incident report.
“The employer is trying to break the strike,” Cullinan said, adding that bosses have offered $2.50 extra an hour to encourage workers to break the strike.
“When workers are treated this way we must show solidarity and support them in their action,” Cullinan said.
“Fair working conditions and liveable wage should not be shelved in fiction,” said RAFFWU secretary Loukas Kakogiannis.
“We call on Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books to stop being recalcitrant, stop their attacks on workers and come to the table with a fair offer.”
[Support striking workers at Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books by donating to RAFFWU’s strike fund.]