Workers battle Australian supermarket giant Coles over new agreement

Meatworkers and truck drivers in the state of Victoria are taking on the Coles supermarket chain, which is part of one of Australia’s biggest companies, over a new proposed agreement that would slash wages and destroy hard won conditions. Coles, in co-operation with the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA), a yellow union, is trying to squeeze out other unions so that it can cut costs and increase profits. Industrial action started on Saturday 7 February and is expected to continue over the next few weeks.

Meatworkers and truck drivers in the state of Victoria are taking on the Coles supermarket chain, which is part of one of Australia’s biggest companies, over a new proposed agreement that would slash wages and destroy hard won conditions. Coles, in co-operation with the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA), a yellow union, is trying to squeeze out other unions so that it can cut costs and increase profits. Industrial action started on Saturday 7 February and is expected to continue over the next few weeks.