MEDIA ALERT
WHEN: TODAY 1pm Thursday 1 April 2021
WHERE: McCormick Foods, Cnr Fairbank Rd and Brady Ave, Clayton South
WHAT: Shadow Education Minister and Shadow Minister for Women Tanya Plibersek, ACTU President Michele O’Neil and Victorian Trades Hall Secretary Luke Hilakari visit McCormick workers after five weeks on strike. McCormick workers make the sauces for every major fast food chain including KFC, McDonalds, Hungry Jacks, Subway, Nandos, Oporto and Red Rooster. Workers haven’t had a pay rise since 2016 and have just voted no to an offer from McCormick that would cut their conditions. These McCormick workers who are leading the fight for respect for essential food workers are today joined by the wider Victorian community.
VISUALS: Attendees will march in front of the building where the brands are displayed and decorate the fence of McCormick’s factory with easter eggs containing messages in support of the workers.
WHO: Shadow Education Minister and Shadow Minister for Women Tanya Plibersek will speak on women workers in manufacturing and the importance of manufacturing jobs in Australia, ACTU President Michele O’Neil and Victorian Trades Hall Secretary Luke Hilakari will talk about how this is a fight for respect in spite of unjust union laws. Also in attendance and available for comment:
- Susie Allison, Victorian Secretary, United Workers Union
- Claire O’Neil MP, Shadow Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services
- Victorian Senator Jess Walsh
Quotes attributable to Susie Allison, Victorian Secretary, United Workers Union:
“Companies like McCormick that have profited off the pandemic have an obligation to reward the workers who made that profit with fair wages and conditions.
“But after five weeks on strike McCormick still wants to rip away these workers’ conditions. This sort of American style greed is not on in fair go Australia.
“Manufacturing is essential to the future of our economy through the provision of good, secure jobs. Instead, McCormick is attempting to hollow out good manufacturing jobs and put our future in jeopardy.
“McCormick CEO Lawrence Kurzius makes $25 million a year, but this company wants the everyday worker to cut their conditions and pay to improve their bottom line. It’s not on!”
NOTE: Everyone attending this event will be expected to adhere to the COVID Safe Plan in place at the site
ENDS
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