Workers at Allied Pinnacle Altona, members of the United Workers Union (UWU) who produce baked goods for Coles and Woolworths supermarkets, took their third consecutive weekly strike action on May 28.
They had halted their previous action after management promised to negotiate a 5% pay rise, along with back pay from the beginning of the enterprise agreement.
But after management reneged on its promise and stopped trucks from entering the factory, the workers resumed their strike.
The UWU said on May 28 that they had been offered a deal that “doesn’t keep up with the cost of living and leaves night shift workers earning less than others doing the same job”.
As at June 4, management continues with its disingenuous “negotiation” and has called on the police to disperse the striking workers. Some police stood next to the Allied Pinnacle boss while others drove a police car into the factory to help him load a trolley of goods into the vehicle.
Green Left questioned the police officer about what he was doing and received a response of “No comment”.
Negotiations between the union and management have since restated.
Supporters are encouraged to join the picket at 23–29 Pinnacle Road, Altona North.
[This article was updated on June 5.]