MCCAIN NEEDS TO PAY LOCKED OUT WORKERS
Workers found to be unlawfully locked out of McCain Foods in Tasmania last Thursday should be paid immediately by the corporate multinational.
Aug 10 2021 AMWU.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) call on McCain to pay their workers for the time they were locked out of their workplace in full and without delay.

Last week the Fair Work Commission found the essential food workers in Smithton had been unlawfully locked out before they had taken industrial action – a major win for McCain workers.

An initial decision by the Commission had legal experts and the union movement saying it would be dangerous and limit the right to strike if it had been upheld.

The workers in Smithton have renewed their call on McCain to agree to a better pay and conditions offer that keeps up with mainland workers who are doing the same work for up to 15 per cent more.

Quotes attributable to AMWU National Secretary Steve Murphy:

“These workers went without pay while they were unlawfully locked out. They need to be paid immediately so they can keep a roof over their heads, put food on the table and pay the bills.

“We’re also calling on McCain Foods to step up and give these workers better pay and conditions – after all it’s only small potatoes to them.”

Quotes attributable to AMWU State Secretary John Short (Tasmania):

“McCain Foods needs to pay Smithton workers what they are owed for the time they were unlawfully lockout without delay.

“These workers kept food on the table during a pandemic and now it’s time for McCain to properly chip in and agree to the pay and conditions on par with mainland workers who earn up to 15 per cent more.

“McCain needs to cook up a better pay and conditions offer and stop making aggressive moves on the very workers who helped them out during a pandemic.”