Unions unite for #CUB55

Union members and workers marched from Docklands to Parliament in solidarity with the 55 maintenance workers sacked by Carlton and United Breweries on September 8.

CUB dismissed the entire maintenance workforce in July, ending a long-standing maintenance contract.

Fifty-five electricians and fitters lost their jobs and were given a chance to reapply for the position, but they said their wage would be lowered by 65 per cent due to penalty rate cuts and other entitlements.

Gwynnyth Evans from Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union said the pay cut was “unacceptable”.

“If they can attack one worker, they can attack others,” she said. “It’s in all of our interest to stand together against an incredibly rich employer who is trying to rip off the workers.”

Trams and cars on Bourke St and LaTrobe St were temporarily blocked by the rally crowd.

CUB employees camped outside the company’s Abbottsford plant for a month when the 55 workers were first sacked, causing major disturbance to the brewery’s daily operations.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union member, Victor Moore, said the CUB workers deserved a “living wage”.

“They have the right to be treated with respect. Workers support workers. That’s the heart of union movements,” he said.