7 January 2024
Coca Cola workers take strike action at local Hungry Jack’s restaurants
Electrical Trades Union (ETU) members working at Coca Cola Euro Pacific Partners will take strike action and hold pickets outside Hungry Jack’s restaurants in Townsville, Rockhampton, and Maroochydore on Monday 8 January.
The Protected Industrial Action is part of ongoing negotiations with Coca Cola. One of the claims regional workers are fighting for is pay equity with their South East Queensland equivalents.
“Workers in regional Queensland including the Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Rockhampton, and everywhere in between, are currently paid less than counterparts in South East Queensland who are performing exactly the same work,” says ETU State Organiser Scott Reichman.
“The company is treating regional workers like second class citizens. It’s a complete disgrace. ETU members are demanding the same pay for doing the same job.”
Workers across the state will meet at Hungry Jack’s at Main Central Townsville, Horton Parade in Maroochydore, and on George Street in South Rockhampton at 7:00am on Monday 8 January to send a message to Coca Cola that they will not back down.
“Members have chosen to gather at Hungry Jack’s as it is one of Coke’s biggest clients,” says Mr Reichman. “These workers manage the servicing and repair of soft drink guns, vending machines, and fridges in service stations.
“Members would rather be working inside Hungry Jack’s than protesting out the front, but that’s currently not an option given Coca Cola’s treatment of these workers.”
“These are services that almost every person in the community uses. When you get a meal at a restaurant, or a drink at a bar, or a refreshment from a servo, you’re benefiting from these members’ work,” says Mr Reichman.
“Workers outside the Brisbane region are doing the exact same job as those in the city, and they should be paid the same. Members are not willing to compromise on this claim. Workers have been taking actions including overtime and after hours call out bans since before Christmas and will continue to until Coke comes to the table.”
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For more, please call Scott Reichman on 0437 184 399 or Kristin Perissinotto on 0448 633 858.