Australian unions beat back union-busting at AB InBev’s Carlton United Breweries

Six tough months on the picket line, with strong national and international support, have defeated brutal union-busting by management of Australian brewer Carlton United Breweries, now owned by brewery giant AB InBev. In July, union maintenance workers at the company’s Melbourne brewery were told their jobs would be outsourced to a new contractor but they could return to work as employees of the subcontractor – with a 65% pay cut! Unions and management have now concluded an agreement providing for: all workers who wish to return to work to do on their original union pay and conditions; any new contractor must meet the existing conditions; and no involuntary redundancies.

The AMWU describes the settlement as an ‘enormous win’ which defeated the company’s attempt to use contractors to slash union-negotiated pay and conditions, and has warmly thanked all who supported the workers by sending messages to the company.