Privately-owned French dairy titan Lactalis has seen staff walk out at a plant in Australia amid claims of a wage dispute.

Workers at the factory in the south-eastern city of Bendigo started their industrial action on Thursday (5 November).

A spokesperson for Australia’s United Workers Union said 140 workers at the site are on strike. “They’re fighting for a decent wage that reflects their role as essential workers and starts to close the pay gap with other Lactalis sites.”

Products made at the site include milk, custard and cream sold under brands including Paul Milk and Farmhouse Gold.

The spokesperson added: “They are also fighting for secure long-term jobs in Bendigo. They want a commitment from Lactalis – one of the world’s biggest dairy companies – that if the company decides to leave the Bendigo site, the factory will not be mothballed, but open to expressions of interest from other interested Dairy operators. Until this happens the strike will continue.”

just-food has approached Lactalis for comment.

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