The workers arent asking for anything more than they deserve, but yet here we are only a few hours away from it clicking over to them being out on strike for 7 days.
So for all those who are wondering what the NUW members are asking for here is the information from the flyer we have been handing out...
Woolworths made over $2.3 billion in net profit this financial year, seeing their profits up by 24%.
The Union members are fighting for wage justice for regional workers.
Melbourne workers get $203 per week minimum more than the Barnawartha DC workers but they all do the exact same job.
Melbourne DC workers have been offered an increase of $1.04 per hour and yet all the Barnawartha workers have been offered is 74cents a hour & all that is going to do is make the gap between country wages & city wages bigger.
They want a 20 minute break for shifts of 7 hours or less, not 10 minutes.
They are asking for improved Saturday shift loadings, they currently get less than the minimum award.
Yet instead of Woolworths being fair, they are demanding that the Barnwartha workers accept a new pay structure where new workers will get $3 less per hour.
The Barnawartha DC workers are now forced to take protected industrial action for the sake of their families and the younger generation coming into the workforce in the Albury/Wodonga area.
Indefinite strike action began at 5am Friday the 25th of October at base camp now called "Camp Justice" at 28 Bilston Drive Barnawartha North.
Before the strike started I only knew a handful of the union members, however since the strike began last week I have been here every day and during my time here I have gotten to know most of the members. Woolworths prides themselves on being a "family company" however how can they be a family orientated company when they are doing this to the regional workers and their families.
There is people out here that have little kids & all they are doing is trying to secure a better future for them and their families.
Every member out here has a unique story just waiting to be told, i have met so many different people while i have been here but there is one thing they all have in common, They are fighting for the Regional Workers! They are taking a stand against a massive company and doing it while remaining upbeat, friendly & welcoming.
Their fight will make a better future for so many Australians not just themselves, this will help regional Victoria & New South Wales, it will help keep the younger generation stay local so they dont feel they have to move to the city away from their friends & families just to get a fair wage and to be able to build a life for themselves here in the regional areas.
I know from experiance that many young people move away to the city after they finish school, just simply because they know they will get a better wage. After school many of my friends moved away and lost touch, where as if someone hadve started this fight many years ago then they wouldnt have felt they had to move just to make a better life for themselves.
Why should city people get treated any different to the country people just simply beause they live in the city, it doesnt make them any better than country people.
What ever happened to everyone being equal, when did living in the city become such a top class thing to do?
I grew up in the country and i am a very proud country girl, i dont have anything against the city and i love spending time there visiting family and friends, But at the end of the day i have country blood running through my viens and nothing will ever change that.
So here it is, This is what i am asking of you, my 5000 loyal readers....
Stand Up for The Barnawartha DC Union Members against the "#Woolybullies"
Stand Up for the Regional Workers, Help them get a fair wage for their work.
Help keep the Regional Workers in the country.
There is a few different ways you can helpout with this campain...
During the strike, boycott all Woolworths stores.
Help spread the word, If you are on facebook or twitter use the #woolybullies & have your say, let the company know they cannt do this to people and get away with it.
Keep an eye out for the NUW redshirt army, introduce yourself and have a chat to them, they are kind hearted people just wanting a fair go.
Share my blog with your family and friends, i will be updating my blog hopefully daily to keep you up to date.
If your out this way or feel like going for a drive, call into the base camp now rightly called "Camp Justice" which is located at 28 Bilston Drive Barnawartha Victoria.
If you see the NUW Red Shirt Army out and about, give them a toot, cheer or a clap.
If you hear their popular chant
"What do we want?
Wage Justice
When do we want it?
NOW"
Then please feel free to join in, everyone is welcome.
I am a PROUD Supporter of the NUW & Its members, I wear my red NUW shirt with pride and I will stand by the members and help them fight for the justice they deserve.
No matter what, We will not be silenced, We will fight for Regional workers & their families.
Love always
Mandy
