Media Release – Coles Supermarkets Workers Strike and Rally on Coles AGM – Friday 3 November 10AM at Coles AGM – Melbourne Exhibition & Conference Centre

COLES WORKERS STRIKE AND RALLY ON COLES AGM

Following on from the successful #superstrike on 7 October 2023, Coles Supermarkets workers represented by RAFFWU in bargaining will go on a full day strike tomorrow, Friday 3 November across Victoria.

In other parts of Australia, Coles workers will be stopping work for 7 minutes at 9am, 2pm and 8pm. These shorter stoppages are designed to impact on management more than workers or customers.

The full day strike will see Coles workers walk off the job across Victoria as they pursue living wages, safer workplaces and secure jobs.

We will rally outside the north side of the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. The Coles AGM will be held inside and we will be sharing information with shareholders as they attend the AGM. We will be joined by community members campaigning against the unconscionable Coles price gouging in the midst of a cost of living crisis.

Quotes attributable to Josh Cullinan, Secretary of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU):

 

Coles profiteered in the pandemic on the back of workers paid poverty wages, in unsafe workplaces and working insecure jobs.

Now Coles is price gouging everyone. Our members cannot afford the food they sell for Coles.

Coles workers represented by RAFFWU are striking and rallying at the Coles AGM to send a clear message. Shareholder profits must not come off the back of worker exploitation.

We are joined by community members rightly outraged by the Coles price gouging. That price gouging affects all Coles workers too.

Coles must stop its worker exploitation and community price gouging. Shareholder value will be slashed unless Coles respects its workers and respects our community.

Coles must step up and pay living wages. It must address the out of control assaults, abuse, threats and intimidation. It must provide secure jobs that workers can count on.

Unless Coles acts on these issues, RAFFWU members will be striking at Christmas.

 

At 10am on Friday 3 November we will hold a press conference at the rally including with community members, Coles workers and RAFFWU officials. We will be outside on the north side of the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre where Dukes and Orrs Walks meet the Seafarers Bridge.

All media enquiries can be directed to Josh Cullinan on 0416 241 763.