In October 2023, 1,400 dairy workers across Victoria conducted a powerful 48-hour strike, in the largest industrial action by dairy workers in Australia’s recent history. Members of our union across 13 sites, including Fonterra, Saputo, and Peters Ice Cream, demanded cost-of-living wage increases, improved working conditions, and greater job security.
Their action secured significant wage increases (up to 5% in the first year at some sites) and emergency service leave, allowing workers to volunteer during disasters in their local community without missing out on the paycheck they need to survive.
More than 6 years in the making, this collective victory marked a historic step towards our member’s commitment to ensuring our regional communities stayed strong and sustainable with good jobs to continue to drive their local economies.
Aligning agreements to expire in 2026 also sets the stage for even larger coordinated industry-wide bargaining in the future. The strike underscores how dairy workers are driving essential change for secure, sustainable jobs that benefit regional communities and upholding their role in AustraliaÕs food supply chain.
“I work with good people who make the job look easy, but its loud, hot, and hard. Dairy companies are turning a massive profit, and workers want a fair share.” – Derek Dent, United Workers Union Delegate and Saputo Worker in Leongatha