Lactalis closure a kick in the teeth for local workers

AWU MEDIA STATEMENT

The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) has described the decision by Lactalis to shut down their Rockhampton site and cut jobs in South Brisbane as nothing short of disgraceful.

Just weeks after being awarded a lucrative State Government contract, Lactalis has elected to shift yoghurt production to Victoria, abandoning its Rockhampton workforce and cutting numerous jobs in its South Brisbane operation.

AWU Queensland Branch Secretary Steve Baker said that this decision had left AWU Members angry and upset.

“The decision by Lactalis to cut and run from both their Rockhampton and South Brisbane workforces is a real kick in the teeth for local workers,” Steve said.

“I’m feeling for these workers and their families who have been let down by a company who should know better.

“Lactalis’s claim that they need to outsource jobs just weeks after taking on a major Government contract defies belief.

“There is simply no excuse for these job losses. Both the Rockhampton and South Brisbane sites were more than capable of continuing to provide high-quality products for Queenslanders.

“We’re extremely disappointed by this, and I’d urge Lactalis to see sense and urgently reconsider their decision.

Steve said his number one priority was supporting affected AWU members who faced losing their livelihoods.

“The workers facing losing their jobs are highly skilled, highly loyal, and deserve better than this” Steve added.

“AWU Organisers have been out on the ground offering support to the Lactalis workforce, and we’ve made it clear that we’re here to help anyone who needs it.

“We’ve also been in constant communication with the State Government and the Department of State Development, who are also on the ground supporting workers.

“Our message is simple: we need to keep Queensland jobs in Queensland.”