Australia’s chicken supply chain is facing a potential crisis as workers at one of the country’s major poultry suppliers, Inghams, have voted to go on strike due to a pay dispute.
Over 1,000 Inghams employees have chosen to pursue industrial action across the company’s Western Australia and South Australian facilities, leading to concerns of a chicken shortage that could impact some of Australia’s most popular brands, including McDonald’s and Woolworths.
The industrial action was triggered by a breakdown in pay negotiations between Inghams and its workers. The dispute highlights the growing tension between labour unions and employers over fair compensation and workers’ rights in Australia’s food production industry.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and United Workers Union are advocating for a yearly pay rise of 6 per cent over the upcoming three years, a proposal that AMWU state secretary Steve McCartney believes the ASX-listed company could readily accommodate.
“Inghams disclosed a profit of £60.4 million in the last fiscal year, marking a substantial 72 percent rise from the preceding year,” he noted.
“Our members are merely requesting an additional £1.50 per hour to align with the rising cost of living. Regrettably, rather than considering a pay increase, they have initiated tactics of intimidation to deter our members from pursuing legally protected industrial action.”
The work stoppage commenced at one minute past midnight on Friday and is scheduled to continue until midnight. The union has indicated that this action is expected to result in shortages for the company’s clientele.
A spokesperson from KFC verified that the renowned fast-food chain is collaborating with Inghams to establish ‘contingency plans’ aimed at sustaining the supply to its stores in Western Australia and South Australia.
Mr. McCartney remarked that Inghams has been using strong-arm tactics against its employees, including the threat of a lockout. He asserted, “We believe it’s time to take action; enough is enough.”
