29 April 2024 – A hundred poorly paid workers fed up with their ongoing pay dispute at Electrolux’s Dudley Park factory in Adelaide will be undertaking their fourth stoppage on Monday 29 April from 6:30am.
Workers have not had a pay increase for almost 18 months, despite the annual inflation rate hitting a 30 year high during this period and low wage staff being adversely affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
Employees on the factory floor are seeking an 18% wage increase over three years, backdated to November 2023.
The protected industrial action comes after workers voted down the company’s offer of an 11% wage rise over three years.
Since that vote, the multinational home appliance maker has not once re-entered negotiations with workers over their enterprise bargaining agreement.
The offer that was voted down was less than the 14.5% over the same period offered to employees in other areas of Electrolux.
The offer would also see employees unable to apply for and take leave when they need it, as the offer states leave must be dictated by management.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union have been bargaining with Electrolux since August 2023.
Quotes attributable to Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union SA Assistant State Secretary Stuart Gordon:
“The workers take pride in making quality ovens for the Australian, New Zealand and American market and have many years of loyalty service to Electrolux. Walking off the job for the fourth time is not an easy decision. These low paid workers just want a fair go and receive some respect from Electrolux.”
“There’s been a complete lack of communication from Electrolux. Workers have been trying for months to resolve the wages dispute. Electrolux has not once come to a bargaining meeting after workers voted down their offer, despite media reports stating otherwise. It’s a slap in face.”
“We have workers here who have dedicated decades of their working life with the company. Our members are ready to increase pressure as needed to secure a better outcome on pay.”
“Why are workers at an Electrolux distribution centre, not even 5 kilometres away, making more than the employees who are manufacturing the product? Workers know when they’re being treated unfairly and disrespected.”
“Workers here want broader reform. The RDO system is unfair. The watering down of sick leave entitlements is unjustifiable.”
Media contact: Sonia Feng 0478 599 580