The ruling by Fair Work Australia that action by Food workers of AMWU was unlawful, confirmed the McCain Foods’ view that the strike was not protected industrial action.

Over 300 food production workers walked off the job at the Ballarat plant on Wednesday the 5th of October during 24 hours of protected industrial action by maintenance workers. This was in response to the company’s inability to offer all production workers meaningful work due to the strike by maintenance workers.

McCain Foods Integrated Supply Chain Director, Mr. Graham Harvey said the AMWU should consider the impact of their actions carefully before they instruct their members to walk off the job as illegal industrial action is serious.

Mr. Harvey again reiterated that a 10.5% pay rise over three years plus other entitlements was realistic and generous in light of the state of the manufacturing sector. “We have agreed with many of the union’s numerous claims, and increased our pay offer from 9% to 10.5% over three years”.