The dairy worker dispute isn’t over, as unions warn products like cheese and milk could be scarce if strikes continue

Dairy factory workers in Victoria have returned to work after taking strike action, but warn they may strike again this week.

More than 1,000 dairy workers at 14 sites run by four major milk companies in Victoria stopped work for 48 hours on Wednesday and Thursday in protest over pay and conditions.

The disruption to milk processing led to at least 100,000 litres of milk being poured down the drain by farmers who could not get their milk collected by tankers because the drivers were on strike.

Workers are now back on the job but the disagreement between them and the milk factories remains.

“At the moment most of the offers from the major processors involved a range between 10 to 11 per cent over three years,”  United Workers Union national secretary Tim Kennedy said.

“Our claim is 5 per cent per year over three years.”

Rolling stoppages flagged

The United Workers Union will hold separate negotiations with the companies involved — Saputo, Fonterra, Lactalis and Peter’s Ice Cream — this week.

If there is no resolution, dairy factory workers could be on strike again as early as Tuesday. 

“If we don’t reach an agreement that we think is fair and reasonable we will be putting in notices to commence action again, and that action includes 24-hour rolling stoppages similar to what occurred this week,” Mr Kennedy said.

“If things break down, action can happen within three working days.

“These plants work seven days a week and so we could be in a situation where this time next week there could be some action.”

In September, production of Dairy Farmers milk and Dare iced coffee was slowed when dairy factory workers from Bega’s Penrith factory in New South Wales went on strike.

The United Workers Union members there were demanding a 7 per cent pay rise in the first year and 5 per cent in subsequent years.

But dairy farmers are not happy with the prospect of more strikes.

“It will be really disappointing because it has been a stressful time for farmers knowing what will happen and if they have to dump milk,” dairy farmer Mark Billing said.

Mr Billing noted that in the past when there had been milk blockades, the Victorian government had stepped in, using emergency powers to make sure farmers’ milk was picked up and not wasted.

He wants the strike action to end.

“In this case I think the government should look at every option available to it to bring this to a close as soon as possible.”

Shoppers told not to panic-buy milk

For consumers, the 48-hour dairy strike led to minimal disruption to supply, with only some stores rationing the amount of milk people could buy.

Earlier, Premier Jacinta Allan urged Victorians not to panic-buy milk.

“There doesn’t need to be any panic buying, there is sufficient supply,” she said. 

“There are negotiations underway, I am advised there is some progress, and I encourage that progress to continue.”

But the United Workers Union is warning the public and milk processors that if further strike action is taken, supplies of dairy products could run scarce.

“If there is further action this week, this disruption to the supply chain will escalate and will make it much more difficult [to supply milk and dairy products to supermarkets],” Mr Kennedy said.