In 2024, Grill’d workers at Flinders Lane made Australian history with the first-ever fast food worker strike, taking on exploitative traineeships paying as little as 14.50 per hour. Their 12-hour strike is inspiring young hospo workers everywhere, proving that even in precarious industries like hospitality, workers can organise and resist exploitation
On October 19, 2024, young members of our union at Grilld Flinders Lane in Melbourne staged Australias first-ever fast-food worker strike, marking a historic moment in the fight against low wages and exploitative employment practices. This 12-hour strike, supported by over 100 union members and community allies, drew attention to Grillds widespread use of government-subsidised traineeships to underpay young workerssome earning as little as 14.50 an hour. With Grilld set to vote on a proposed agreement that would continue these exploitative practices, workers at Flinders Lane hope to inspire other fast-food and hospitality workers to organise and demand better treatment. Their action aims to challenge the systemic exploitation in the industry and spark broader solidarity among young and precarious workers.
My crew and I reckon that no worker in this country should live in poverty, and well do everything we can to prevent it. Mitch, Grilld Flinders Lane worker and UWU member