- Allied Pinnacle provides bakery products to Woolworths and Coles.
- Bakery employees have gone on strike due to disagreements over pay.
- FURTHER READING: Woolworths and Coles Set to Reduce Prices on 1,000 Grocery Products
Enthusiasts of a well-known mud cake available at leading supermarkets might find the treat missing from store aisles as employees at one of Australia’s biggest bakeries go on strike.
Allied Pinnacle provides baked products to over 3,000 enterprises across the country, including prominent supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths .
The business produces several of Australia’s favorite confections, such as hot cross buns, caramel slices, rocky road doughnuts, and not to mention, their signature chocolate mud cake.
The firm operates more than 20 facilities nationwide, encompassing flour mills along with places dedicated to baking and mixing activities.
However, on Wednesday, employees at Allied Pinnacle’s Altona bakery, located approximately 10 kilometers southwest of this location, were involved. Melbourne In 's CBD, they left work during a demonstration against their salaries.
Approximately 1,300 workers are employed across the country by this firm, including about 150 personnel from the Altona location who took part in a 48-hour walkout.
Employees are calling for a 15 percent raise over the coming three years following their rejection of the firm's proposal for an 11.25 percent increment during the same timeframe.
Adam Auld, the Food and Beverage Coordinator for the United Workers Union, stated that the continuous cost of living crisis is a major factor prompting the industrial action.
'The wage offers starting with a 3 or a 4 simply aren’t enough to cover the expenses for food, housing, healthcare, fuel, schooling, and childcare,' he stated.
Employees require a genuine boost in their salaries.
This action aims to clearly convey to top executives that employees require genuine raises and increased respect, particularly when households are experiencing severe economic strain.
The United Workers Union and Allied Pinnacle have been engaged in extended wage discussions since September 2024.
Employees at the Altona location are also protesting against a considerably reduced night shift differential – only 19 percent as opposed to the 30 percent received by their counterparts elsewhere.
'A worker stated, "This needs to be different, and employees at Altona are seeking recognition. We’re urging top-level leadership to step in so we can resume our jobs."'
It is anticipated that the strike will affect several suppliers for Allied Pinnacle.
Coles has downplayed worries about a shortage and reassured customers that baked goods were not anticipated to be depleted shortly.
"We understand just how cherished the iconic Coles Mudcake is among our customers, playing a key role in festivities nationwide," stated a representative.
'Good news for our customers: we have an abundance of mud cakes available.'
Allied Pinnacle told Daily Mail Australia that they were concentrating on serving their clientele.
'Allied Pinnacle acknowledges their workers' right to participate in industrial activities and remains dedicated to achieving a just and lasting accord.'
'Sustaining supply and services for our clients remains a top focus, with no expected interruptions at present.'
However, Mr Auld stated that this marks just the start, and emphasized that the union will pursue additional measures should negotiations fail to reach an agreement.
"If Allied Pinnacle shows no signs of progress, the employees will convene to determine whether they should pursue additional actions in the upcoming week or at a later date," he stated.
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