Why there are calls to boycott Gaytime, Paddle Pop and Magnum ice creams
The union representing Streets ice cream factory workers, left angered over a potential u-turn on pay and conditions, may ask the public to boycott the company's most popular products.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union confirmed it was looking to implement a widespread snub of Streets ice-creams including Paddle Pop, Golden Gaytime and Magnum if Streets owner Unilever continued to explore avenues with the Fair Work Commission which could lead to the termination of the current enterprise agreement.
The potential boycott would mirror the 2016 push to avoid products from beer giants Carlton and United Breweries where popular beers such as VB and Carlton Draught suffered following an industrial dispute.
According to AMWU secretary Steve Murphy, Streets workers in Minto, Sydney, are worried over the threat of a significant pay cut if their enterprise agreement was terminated, meaning a return to their previous award safety net, Fairfax Media reported.
Unilever has said it needs to provide more flexible working conditions and enhance the competitiveness and viability of the factory for its future success, but Mr Murphy suggests such a change would result in a significant 46 per cent pay cut for workers.
In a bid for the AMWU to gain an overview of Streets workers plans if the change was to occur, the union sent out a text message to all union members due to be affected.
AMWU were inundated with responses with the majority of workers showing serious concern over their future finances.
"How am I going to feed my family, pay my home loan that was granted based on my current wage, pay my bills, clothe my children?" one employee questioned.
"If my pay drops I'm worried I won't be able to pay for living expenses, plus treatment my kids need as they have autism and need lots of therapy," another said.
Mr Murphy said the unanimous response revealed the "human impact of an industrial relations system that is rigged against working people."
A Unilever spokesman confirmed they had spoken with Streets ice cream employees and the union last week revealing they planned to preserve pay rates under the existing enterprise agreement until April 30 next year or earlier if a new agreement is reached.
"The undertaking was conveyed in person to employees in onsite briefings last week. It would come into effect in the event of a Fair Work Commission decision to terminate the existing enterprise agreement, a matter currently before it for consideration," the spokesman said.
Unilever also moved to reject the union's claim there would be a 46 per cent decrease in pay saying it had "no basis in fact."
