
Issue No 89		23 March 2001

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News

Bread Maker Slices Workforce

By Andrew Casey

More than a third of the Buttercup workforce in Newcastle will lose their jobs by mid-April because of a decision by the company to centralise its baking at their Moorebank, Sydney, outlet.

" Buttercup, owned by multinational Goodman Fielders, is undergoing a massive restructuring process right around Australia - which is costing more and more of the jobs of our members," Susan McGrath, LHMU Branch President, said .

" Regional Australia is especially being affected by decisions made in capital cities to centralise jobs into metropolitan Australia."

The Buttercup brand is the top selling bread in Australia, controlling more than a third of the bread market along with a range of specialty breads.

Goodman Fielders, the parent company, is the dominant food company in Australia.

Earlier this month the company announced both relatively poor first half profits and an aggressive new strategic review plan which has targeted their baking division to increase their cash-flow.

" This company, which has such a prominent place on our grocery shelves, now seems to have adopted a strategy of improving their profit margins by getting rid of their baking staff," Susan McGrath said.

" We have got members in Newcastle who have spent most of their working lives loyally working for the company.

" We have got members in the Canberra region being treated in the same manner.

" In the ACT Buttercup has decided they can increase their profit-margins by contracting out their bread delivery service and getting rid of workers who have been loyal to the company for more than twenty years.

" I can't help but point out: it is a half-baked idea.

" The company needs the loyalty of all its customers, not just those in capital cities.

" Buttercup has locally promoted itself in Newcastle as a 'Community Bakery' . That slogan is hollow today."

The company made its latest announcement to cut back its Newcastle workforce at midday on Thursday.

The LHMU is seeking urgent talks to defend the interests of members in a region where unemployment is relatively high.

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  Issue 89 contents

Interview: Paddy Takes the Helm
Irish, internationalist, republican, socialist & seafarer - Paddy Crumlin intends taking the old traditions of the labour left into the 21st century, the community and cyberspace.

Unions: Breaking the Mould
Mark Hearn looks at how women union delegates are helping to change the culture in the traditionally male bastion of glassworking.

Legal: Washing Their Hands
Mark Morey outlines how Liberal neglect of the working visa system has led to exploitation of guest workers.

International: Violence Betrays Shangri-La
Shangri-La hotel union members carrying a coffin marked Robert Kuok have been assaulted and beaten by police in Jakarta.

Economics: Corporations: Different Than You and Me
Corporations are fundamentally different than you and me. That's a simple truth that Big Business leaders desperately hope the public will not perceive.

History: The Steel Octopus
Be prepared for a flood of Nostalgia from the media about the �Big Australian�, as it prepares to flee our shores and finally internationalise its digging operations. Workers won�t forget BHP�s less than worker friendly past and present (and no doubt it�s future).

Review: Mean Nation
John Allen charts the fall and fall of philanthropy in Australian society.

Satire: Ryan 'A Big Wake-Up Call For Me': Beazley
The narrow victory to Labor in the Ryan by-election has delivered a big slap in the face to Leader of the Opposition Kim Beazley.

» Abbott and �Drinking Buddy� Under Microscope

» Working Visas: Ruddock Sells Dump to Abbott

» Tourist Guides Bussed In

» Fair Wear Holds Breath as Carr Celebrates

» Labor to Restore Public Sector�s Dignity

» Its Time for Carr to Act on Safey on Building Sites

» Bread Maker Slices Workforce

» Workers Show Grace Under Pressure

» Engineers Win BHP Redundancy Case

» Transport Drug Pushers Not Charged

» Training Body Needs $150 Million to Cope with Growth

» HIH Urged To Safeguard Employee Entitlements

» Carr Proposal For Public Schools Flawed

» Human Smirk Returns to Spiritual Home

» McGauchie Appointment Draws MUA Fire

» Bove Loses McDonald's Raid Appeal

» James Hardie Called to Account

» Australasian Union Organising Conference

» Activist Notebook