Members win at IFF

Members at International Flavours and Fragrances (IFF) took action on site last week. They were unified, disciplined and fighting for their rights - and they won.

The issues for members at IFF were the rising cost of living, rights for casual workers and, very importantly; exisiting management style on site.

All workers should be respected at work, should be able to work with dignity, and should be able to cover the costs of living from the proceeds of their labour.

So what did members at IFF win?

• A fair wage increase - the equivalent of 4.6% per year wage increase, factoring in sign-on bonuses (3.8% plus $500 bonus each year x 3 years).
• Redeployment of casual members with an overview of labour-hire agency procedures.
• Commitments from senior Asia Pacific management to drive major cultural change in the management style of the site. Delegates were told "I come from the Netherlands where we practice a harmony model with our unions. We gave up on the adversarial model in the 70s."

Delegates and members from API, Bidvest, the AMWU and MUA all came down to support the workers at IFF. This sort of solidarity was amazing and reminded union members why we fight.

Leader of the Opposition Daniel Andrews visited the strike too, and talked to workers about the issues facing them at work.

Delegates Kim, Tony and Mark are to be congratulated for all the effort and preparation they put into negotiations and the ultimate industrial action that took place.

All the members at IFF proved again that Unity is Strength.