Country Road Group has been accused by a union of putting down manure where workers from the fashion retailer’s Victorian warehouse had planned to rally.
The United Workers Union also claims the retailer – which distributes fashion labels including Mimco, Trenery, Witchery and Politix – has responded to demands for equitable pay with “intimidating tactics”.
Its Truganina warehouse workers want a pay rise of $1.50 per hour to bring their pay into line with their counterparts in the logistics and distribution operation.
“In an attempt to disrupt and disparage worker spirits, Country Road Group thought it would be a good idea to lay fresh manure outside of the gates in the same spot workers had planned to rally ahead of strike action,” UWU logistics coordinator Mick Power said on Thursday.
“The behaviour displayed towards workers at Country Road Group by managers is frankly disgraceful.”
The workers’ plans to strike outside the retailer’s Truganina warehouse have now been postponed.
The union also claims workers have been threatened with losing their jobs if they participate in any industrial action.
Mr Power further alleges workers are being pressured to continue working and have reported “intimidation” by managers and that some had been visited at their homes out of hours.
He said the union will continue to consult with workers about whether to begin legally protected industrial action next week.
AAP has contacted Country Road Group for comment.
AAP
Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
For more news:
- A duet win for Canberra Women in Business
- ACT house price records tumble in October
- Who is really buying ACT properties?
- Victoria records 1247 COVID cases, nine deaths
- Queensland to record COVID-19 case in border town
- NSW reports 308 COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths
- Fruit pickers guaranteed minimum wage
- Man linked to Cleo case taken to hospital
