| What: | Warehouse and Distribution workers for GPC brand Repco to stop work for 24 hours over company’s low ball wage offer |
| When: | Monday, 8 September from 4:30AM onwards |
| Where: | 51-57 Qantas Drive, Export Park, Eagle Farm, 4009 |
| Who: | Repco workers, United Workers Union Logistics Lead Chris Dundon |
Queensland car lovers face a bumpy road as workers at Queensland’s largest distribution centre for premium auto supply company Repco gear up for a 24-hour strike today (Monday 8th September).
The 24-hour strike follows a breakdown in negotiations with parent company GPC Asia Pacific and United Workers Union members at Repco’s Eagle Farm distribution centre.
With 12 distribution centres across Australia and New Zealand, Repco is Australia’s largest automotive parts reseller. The 24-hour strike is expected to impact Repco stores across Brisbane.
Repco, famously known among car enthusiasts as the supplier of automotive parts for V8 cars and platinum sponsor of the Bathurst 1000, is refusing to deliver a wage offer that maintains industry standards with Repco workers in Queensland being paid between $5 to $6 less than their counterparts at Supercheap Auto.
Repco Eagle Farm workers have walked off the job this morning, commencing a 24-hour strike, after the company’s low-ball offer was rejected on Friday.
Whilst Repco workers are going without today in a fight for fair pay, Repco has just experienced one of its most profitable retail periods of the year, Father’s Day weekend.
Quotes attributable to Eagle Farm Repco worker
“As a dad, you worry about the future you can provide for your kids. That’s the whole reason you go to work really, isn’t it? To provide for your family. To know that I could be making an extra $5 or $6 an hour working at Supercheap Auto doing the exact same work is pretty disheartening. That’s why I am out here today, striking for fair pay.
“With Father’s Day weekend just come and gone I know that Repco would have been raking it in, and yet they are choosing to be super cheap with their pay offer to us.”
Quotes attributable to Chris Dundon, United Workers Union Logistics Lead
“Today’s strike is historic. It’s the first time Repco workers anywhere in the country have taken strike action for better pay and conditions. But our members are out here today to send Repco a message – Quit stalling and deliver a fair pay offer now!
“Workers aren’t asking for anything they don’t deserve, especially after accepting low wage increases during the pandemic. All they are asking for is a cost of living pay rise to put food on the table for their families and cover the soaring cost of living here in Queensland.
“Repco has a reputation as the premium automotive supplier in Australia. If they want to maintain that public image, then they need to start paying their workers a fair wage.”