“Pfizer bosses need to stop with the money-grubbing and game playing and return with a fair offer for the loyal workers, many of whom have worked at the plant for upwards of 20 years,” said the UWU. Source: Flickr, International Monetary Fund.
Over 100 workers from Pfizer’s pharmaceutical factory in Mulgrave have gone on strike over what they are calling an unreasonable pay rise.
Members from the United Workers Union (UWU) went on strike at 10:30pm last night, demanding that they be given a reasonable pay rise that’s in line with the rising cost of living.
Inflation is currently sitting around seven per cent and workers say they expect their pay rise to be somewhat equal to this.
“Workers at Pfizer have not made the decision to take strike action lightly – they know that without a day’s wage things will be tight next week,” UWU National Secretary Tim Kennedy said.
“But workers know that if they don’t fight today that things will only be worse in the future if they accept the insulting offer that sits on the table.
“We know Pfizer can afford more than a miserly three percent pay increase, they have made that clear with the yearly sweeteners on offer.”
Pfizer has made US 25 billion in profits – time to share that with their workers! Tim Kennedy addresses striking workers at #Pfizer strike today in Mulgrave, Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/2CUNmxlTsc
— United Workers Union (@UnitedWorkersOz) November 3, 2022
It’s believed Pfizer has offered employees a three per cent pay rise in the first year of the agreement, four per cent in the second year and three per cent in the final year.
However the UWU says this is unacceptable as Pfizer reported a $39 billion profit last year but Pfizer says they are taking steps to rectify the situation.
“Pfizer is working closely with the union to agree on an EA that works for all employees which offers fair and reasonable terms for wages and allowances and addresses the increased cost of living from a rise in inflation,” a representative said.
“It is important to note that wages for the company’s Melbourne manufacturing employees are between 18 per cent and 30 per cent higher than the market median.”
Pfizer worker Ms Jacobi said that Pfizer is trying to cut costs other ways.
The company wants to introduce other cost saving measures around shift penalties and may take away paid lunch breaks sometime in the future,” she said.
Pfizer has offered to give workers cash bonuses of up to $8,000 over three years if they get rid of their demand for approval of 12 hours weekend shifts. If employees were to leave in this time or be fired, they would be required to pay the bonuses back.
