In 2021, predominantly women workers at Country Road’s Truganina warehouse launched their first-ever strike, holding strong for 12 days with creative tactics including Fashion Week protests. Their groundbreaking action secured a 13.3 pay rise over four years, 20 new permanent positions, and equal pay for labour hire workers.
In November 2021, the Country Road Group warehouse in Truganina, Melbourne, saw its first-ever strike led by the our members. After more than a year of struggling for fair pay and secure jobs, workers took decisive action, starting a 12-day strike. With an average hourly wage of just 24.34well below comparable warehousespredominantly female warehouse workers demanded wage parity, better job security, and fair treatment. The strike was notable not just for its demands but for its innovative use of digital strategies and public protests, including disruptions at Melbourne Fashion Week and Country Road stores, which brought significant public attention to their cause. The resulting agreement set a new standard within the retail sector, delivering a 13.3 pay rise over four years, 20 new permanent positions, and equal site rates for agency casual workers. This win reshaped what was possible for underpaid, insecure workforces in Australia and paved the way for future innovative digital campaigning within the United Workers Union.