19 April 2024
A hundred workers fed up with their ongoing pay dispute at Electrolux’s Dudley Park factory in Adelaide have walked off the job for the third time on Friday 19 April.
It follows similar action last Friday and Monday this week by workers who are demanding an 18% wage increase over three years.
Workers have not had a pay increase since November 2022, despite annualised inflation peaking at 7.8% during this period.
The protected industrial action comes after workers voted down the company’s offer of an 11% wage rise over three years, which is less than the 14.5% over the same period offered to employees in other areas of the business.
The offer would also see employees unable to apply for and take leave when they need it, as the offer stipulates leave periods must be dictated by management.
The AMWU is also advocating for equal pay increases to the labour hire workers who have been working during the stoppages.
Negotiations over workers’ pay and conditions have been ongoing since August 2023.
Quotes attributable to Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union SA Assistant State Secretary Stuart Gordon:
“Workers are sick and tired of Electrolux unable to negotiate with their employees.”
“These are decent wages and conditions we’re calling for. The AMWU continues to be the voice for workers.”
“Labour hire workers have been working up to 10 years as casuals without being offered permanent ongoing positions.”
“Electrolux is now using labour hire workers to curtail our workers’ industrial action in a bid to boost company profits. This sends a clear signal that Electrolux cares more about lining its pockets over the wellbeing of its employees.”
“Electrolux has offered workers at Dudley Park substantially less than a similar Electrolux warehouse doing the same work not even 5 kilometres away in Adelaide. It’s no wonder the workers are angry and feel disrespected.”
Media contact: Sonia Feng 0478 599 580