In an outpouring of support, workers from across the Asia-Pacific region have signalled their deep solidarity with the 55 Carlton United Breweries (CUB) workers, posing for photos with the ‘Bitter Victorians’ logo and sharing them across social media with #CUB55 hashtag.
“BWI unions are proud to support their fellow workers in Australia,” said BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson. “We’re very away of the problems that exist with labour hire contractors and the power they provide employers to act unilaterally without respect for workers’ rights or interests. BWI affiliates are sending a clear message to our fellow Aussie trade unionist: you are not alone!”
The #CUB55 workers, members of BWI-affiliate the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and BWI-partner union the Construction, Forestry, Energy and Mining Union (CFMEU), were engaged through a labour contractor named ‘Programmed’. Earlier this year they were dismissed from their positions with no justification, while at the same time secretly-recruited temporary workers were flown in from out-of-state to replace them. The Carlton workers were then offered their jobs back, but with a 65% pay cut.
CUB’s owner, SAB Miller, are currently seeking regulatory approval for a merger with AB Inbev. This merger would create the world’s largest brewery conglomerate in the world, responsible for one in every three beers drunk.
If you haven’t done it yet, then the #CUB55 could do with your support!
Post a selfie of yourself or your union holding a sign that shows your support for the #CUB55, and post on your union’s facebook page, then share it to the BWI@Work facebook page.
You can download the campaign sign here.