Dairy conference a huge success
Monday July 23, 2007
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Dairy Delegates work together on some of the issues facing the Industry
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More than 100 Delegates from the Dairy Industry met last Thursday (July 19) for the NUW's first Dairy Industry Delegates' Conference.
Held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, the Conference focused on the main challenges facing the Industry, as well as giving Delegates from across Australia a chance to talk about issues of common concern.
The day began with an address from NUW National Secretary Charlie Donnelly. Donnelly spoke about the importance of the Dairy Industry to the Australian economy, as well as the good working relationship the union had with major dairy employers.
Delegates also heard talks about the state of the Dairy Industry from Murray Goulburn Managing Director Stephen O'Rourke, and Fonterra's Australian Operations Manager Bruce Donnison.
O'Rourke spoke about the challenges thrown up by the drought, which has seen a reduction in milk supply of about two billion litres on pre-drought levels.
However, O'Rourke was also positive about the Industry's future - especially the ability of the Australian industry to capitalise on growing overseas demand.
Meanwhile, Donnison also emphasised the growing demand for dairy products in overseas markets - so much so that to keep up an industry the size of New Zealand will need to emerge every year for the next five years.
However, Donnison noted that Australian and New Zealand dairy companies were in an excellent position to take advantage of this growth, given their comparative advantage in producing dairy products.
After receiving a snapshot of the Industry, Delegates broke into groups to discuss how they could work together on issues common to dairy employees across the country.
Delegates also came up with ideas to improve the flow of communication between employees at different sites.
To close the day, Delegates heard an address from James Ritchie - the National Secretary of the New Zealand Dairy Workers Union.
Ritchie spoke about the importance of the NUW and NZDWU working together and supporting each other for the benefit of workers in both countries.
NUW Victorian Secretary Antony Thow said the Conference showed just how well union Delegates work together when given the chance.
"Our first annual Dairy Industry Delegates' Conference has shown just how much knowledge our Delegates possess, and how crucial it is for them to work together in this industry.
"I was extremely impressed with the ability of our Delegates to share their experiences, as well as their desire to improve the way we communicate as a union across different sites.
"One of our Delegates summed it up perfectly - workers need to think of themselves as part of the one Industry, not individuals working for seperate companies.
"The Howard Government has spared nothing in an effort to reduce the wages and conditions of working people, including dairy workers.
"As a union, we need to respond by working together and supporting one another.
"After today's conference, I'm very confident our Delegates in the Dairy Industry are in a better position to handle the challenges they face."
Last modified 2007-07-24 11:22 AM
