Milk supply shortages loom amid planned Victoria dairy strikes

An unprecedented dairy worker strike in Victoria is brewing, putting the state in a possible milk shortage scenario. 

On Tuesday, milk tankers are planning to stop working, while 1,400 dairy factory workers at four main processors across Melbourn are planning a two-day strike. 

If these industrial actions push through, manufacturers will not be able to provide ample milk supply, while picking milk from suppliers will be a major challenge. 

Read: Services Australia workers go on strike over pay disparities

The movement will halt processing at 14 sites including the following:

Eastern Victoria

• Leongatha
• Longwarry
• Darnum

Southwest 

• Warrnambool

North

• Kiewa
• Cobden
• Tangambalanga
• Stanhope
• Cobram 

Melbourne

• Mulgrave
• Laverton

Unprecedented dairy worker strike

According to United Workers Union National Secretary Tim Kennedy, this could be the biggest dairy action in recorded history. 

The strikes against Saputo, Lactalis Australia, Fonterra, and Peters Icecream, he said, are the workers’ last resort after failing to come to an agreement over wages and condition disputes. 

Read: Australians expect salary increase in 2023

The striking factory workers have been calling for a 5 percent increase for three years, but talks have always failed. 

Besides the salary increase, the workers have also been demanding security and for the processors to recognise the “dairy industry crisis.”

“These jobs used to be able to build a life in these communities, now they’re under threat,” Kennedy told reporters.

He added that they need the corporations to invest and plan and to help rebuild the milk supply in Victoria and to make it sustainable. 

Victoria milk shortage strike impact

Aside from a milk shortage, Kennedy said shoppers may also face shortages in other dairy products like cheese, yoghurts, and ice creams, since these are perishable products.

And because tankers wouldn’t be working on Tuesday, shoppers may experience the effects of the shortage soon. 

Milk stored in farms would usually last three days if they weren’t picked up, and farmers would be forced to dump the supply if they expire. 

The milk tankers are going on strike against Saputo because of the new enterprise bargaining agreement, shift changes, and pay disputes. 

“Unfortunately, it's almost unprecedented action but it's the only option that's available to us at the moment,” said Mike McNess, branch secretary of the Transport Workers Union.

McNess added that the tanker drivers took a very small pay rise despite working during the pandemic and they just think it’s high time the corporations recognise their work.

In a bigger picture, the strike would not just affect milk supply, but would also have an impact on farmers, consumers, and whole communities involved in the supply chain.

The milk companies have yet to issue their statements on these looming strikes and possible supply shortages.