Beer giant responds to employee protests

After a number media reports of picketing outside Carlton & United Brewery, the firms involved speak out about the situation

With media coverage of the four-week long Carlton & United Brewery (CUB) protests in Melbourne focusing on the affected workers, HC reached out to CUB to get their side of the story.
 
In January this year, the firm announced to Quant – which had been supplying maintenance services in 2009 – that it would not be extending the contract past July, a CUB spokesperson said.
 
Employees and the unions were informed at the time, they added, with CUB providing around six months’ notice of the change.
 
“In June the maintenance service contract between CUB and Quant ended. A company named Programmed was announced as the new provider as a result of a competitive tender.”
 
This impacted 49 employees who have since been paid all entitlements including redundancy and pay in lieu of notice, they added.
 
As for the new contract, “we understand the rates are above award,” the spokesperson said.
 
HC also spoke to Programmed – provider of the new contract – to learn more about the new contractual terms.
 
Certain miscommunications have given the perception that workers under the new agreement will suffer a pay cut, their spokesperson said.
 
“It has become clear that some ex-Quant candidates have been misinformed about what is on offer for the roles at CUB.”
 
For clarification, they stressed that the pay offered is written into the employment contract and will not be reduced.
 
All positions are based on a 38-hour work week with overtime and penalty rates based on the employee’s ordinary rate of pay, they added.
 
When asked why this misunderstanding may have taken place, the spokesperson pointed to a clause in the new agreement which may have created confusion.
 
“However, this clause is not applicable to work at CUB. The rates of pay are committed in employment contracts. This has been confirmed with all successful candidates prior to appointment.”

Related stories:
 
Fairfax announces 120 job cuts, 500 staff go on strike
 
Essential Energy staff vote on strike action
 
Canadian public servant could be fired as protest song goes viral

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