The lockout of 65 workers in the regional Victorian town of Echuca by the global dairy company Parmalat is now in its 7th week. The dispute is around a new contract and the company’s intentions to cut wages and conditions. Attacks like this on workers in Australia are becoming more common. The workers are receiving strong support from the electrical and manufacturing unions, while a delegation of maritime workers travelled 1,000 kilometres to deliver financial and political support to these workers. A fundraising campaign has also been set up. To fight effectively against the power of global companies like Parmalat that has facilities in 18 countries, workers need to organise co-ordinated industrial actions in multiple sites across the world.
The lockout of 65 workers in the regional Victorian town of Echuca by the global dairy company Parmalat is now in its 7th week. The dispute is around a new contract and the company’s intentions to cut wages and conditions. Attacks like this on workers in Australia are becoming more common. The workers are receiving strong support from the electrical and manufacturing unions, while a delegation of maritime workers travelled 1,000 kilometres to deliver financial and political support to these workers. A fundraising campaign has also been set up. To fight effectively against the power of global companies like Parmalat that has facilities in 18 countries, workers need to organise co-ordinated industrial actions in multiple sites across the world.
