AUSTRALIA: Workers at O-I Glass strike for ten weeks

Members of the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) at O-I Glass in Brisbane have been on strike for over ten weeks now, demanding a mere 3 percent pay rise. O-I Glass is a US-owned multinational company that produces almost 98 percent of all glass containers in Australia, and has sites in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane.

“Workers never take strike action lightly, but it is clear that these workers have had enough of being treated without respect and fundamental dignity,” said BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson.  “We support them in their struggle for a decent wage increase and call on O-I Glass to join the ETU at the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith.”

“This company is making billions in profits yet paying nothing in tax,” said ETU National Secretary Allen Hicks. “The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia and many other economists have been very clear that Australian workers need a pay rise of at least 3 percent to keep the economy ticking over. We are proud of these members for taking a stand to achieve that and call on O-I Glass to do the right thing.”

You can support the striking workers at O-I Glass by clicking here.