There’s some worrying news today for people who like both a good ol’ Rainbow Paddle Pop and fair treatment of Australian workers, with a possible union instigated Streets ice cream boycott on the horizon.
Obviously the news is much, much more worrying for the employees themselves, with Australian Manufacturing Workers Union decrying the recent decision by Streets, makers of your fav summertime treats Paddle Pops, Golden Gaytimes, Magnums and many more, to ditch current workplace agreements that the union claims would see a 46% cut in worker’s pay.
The AMWU is in an ongoing dispute with Unilever, parent company of Streets, also claiming the organisation is planning to have worker’s overtime penalties and their redundancy entitlements cut.
This is one of the anonymous texts we received from a Streets employees about the 46% pay cut https://t.co/3RTDi0rkbY #auspol #ausunions pic.twitter.com/jfRAdsi4RF
— The AMWU (@theamwu) October 1, 2017
A union backed boycott for the upcoming summer period is very much on the cards, with AMWU currently asking members and supporters to email the Streets Financial Officer, voicing what they say is unfair treatment.
Via their website, AMWU states:
Streets in owned by multinational company Unilever, who last year made $8 billion in profits.
The fact that they are refusing to stick by their enterprise agreement and cut workers’ pay is disgraceful.
Unilever makers of Streets had $3.58 billion profit and want to cut workers wages by 46% https://t.co/PCk1N4iA9B #auspol @unionsaustralia pic.twitter.com/PErSoOk6gf
— CFMEU WA (@CFMEUWA) August 24, 2017
Unilever have disputed the 46% figure, claiming flexible work conditions are required as costs at their Minto, NSW factory continue to remain high.
The prospective ice cream boycott seeks to imitate a successful one of Carlton United Breweries a year ago.
Hold tight to your Gaytimes buds, the country may be asked to boycott the delicious creamy goodies, anytime soon.
