العربية | 中文 | Deutsch | English | Español | Français | 日本語 | Русский | Skandinaviska  Join our mailing list | Dairy Workers NewsNew Zealand Dairy Workers Union establishes Youth Committee 22-09-2018 The 2018 Congress of the New Zealand Dairy Workers Union Te Runanga Wai U (NZDWU) resolved to establish a youth committee that encourages young members to become more involved in the governance and operation of their union. [read more] NGG warning strikes deliver results in German Dairy sector 28-05-2018 Warning strikes by IUF affiliated NGG members have won
gains in collective bargaining in the dairy sector in 2018. In Germany a
warning strike may occur during collective bargaining and is a warning
to employers that workers are prepared to take further action in support
of improving wages and other conditions. [read more] Determined fight keeps dairy factory open 17-05-2018 In May 2017 Murray Goulburn announced that they were closing their 125 year old Kiewa plant in Victoria Australia, a move which would have destroyed secure employment in the small community. National Union of Workers (NUW) shop stewards held mass meetings with local, state and federal politicians to emphasize the importance of the jobs. Saputo announced in May 2018 that they would keep the factory open. [read more] Yakult workers in Australia take action to fight wage stagnation and inequality 24-03-2018  Australia is in the midst of a wage crisis, in an environment where
business is making record profits. National Union of Workers (NUW)
members at Yakult are taking indefinite strike action from March 19 in
order to win the higher wages they need and deserve.[read more] Climate change, technology and equality included in Dairy Division work plan 23-03-2018 At a planning meeting in San Francisco on March 12 & 13, the IUF
Dairy Division Steering Group decided that it must be at the negotiating
table to discuss the impacts of climate change and technology on dairy
worker's jobs. [read more] Nestlé-Froneri workers in Parma: settlement reached after a tough fight 27-12-2017  The long, difficult struggle of the workers at the Nestlé-Froneri ice cream factory in Parma, Italy, backed by their unions FLAI-CGIL and UILA-UIL and the IUF, resulted in a settlement on December 21 which brings provisions the company had persistently refused to consider or negotiate. [read more] "Defend the democratic rights of our communities!"- Latin America Dairy Division Conference 11-12-2017 Affiliates at the IUF Latin America regional dairy conference called for more action in the defense of political and economic rights as the continent suffers at the hands of a mix of authoritarian regimes and 'business friendly' democracies. [read more] Danone awarded €105m damages from Fonterra over botulism scare 04-12-2017 An arbitration tribunal in Singapore has determined Fonterra must pay
Danone €105m to cover a product recall linked to a false botulism scare
in 2013. [read more] Canadian based Saputo has offered A$1.3billion to buy Australian dairy
cooperative Murray Goulburn. The proposed sale has been cautiously
welcomed by IUF affiliate, the NUW, which represents workers in the
company. [read more] European dairy affiliates to strengthen alliances within TNC's 27-10-2017  On October 25, IUF German affiliate NGG hosted a meeting in Hamburg to
re-vitalize Dairy Net, the IUF-EFFAT regional organization of dairy
affiliates. [read more] OECD/FAO outlook: Steady growth in dairy despite environmental concerns and risks 08-08-2017 The OECD/FAO outlook 2017-26 for
dairy and dairy products forecasts rising growth in production, prices
and consumption in the decade ahead. New Zealand(32%), the European
Union(24%), the United States(12%) and Australia(6%)will continue to
dominate exports in cheese, whole milk powder (WMP), butter and skim milk powder (SMP) with export growth of
around 2% per annum. [read more] Global dairy TNC's strengthen market dominance 07-07-2017 Dairy TNC's are strengthening their dominance through every climatic and
financial crisis as milk price volatility and job instability becomes a
permanent feature in a system rigged in favour of global commodity
traders, major food processors and big retailers. [read more] Milk price volatility and job destruction 18-05-2017 The National Union of Workers (NUW) in Australia will fight the scheduled closures of dairy factories at Kiewa, Rochester and Edith Creek in an effort to save 360 jobs and protect rural communities. [read more] Dairy unions meet in India to plan actions for growth 04-05-2017
The IUF convened a national dairy meeting on 22-23 April 2017 in Bangalore, India which was attended by 38 delegates from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Although most of the participants work in the cooperative sector, the unions from the private sector dairies Schreiber Dynamics and Ferrero also contributed to the meeting. Delegates at the meeting planned for actions to promote and defend the rights of young workers, of women, of contract workers and those working in the private sector and to recruit more of these workers into their unions. [read more] ATILRA intervenes in SanCor crisis in Argentina 27-04-2017  Argentina's major dairy cooperative, SanCor, is in financial crisis and the IUF affiliated dairy union ATILRA has intervened to salvage the company, and save the jobs of thousands of employees and protect communities which depend upon Sancor for their livelihoods.The union has called on members to regularly donate a contribution of their salaries to the union workers at SanCor who urgently need support. ATILRA General Secretary, Hector Ponce [read more] Lactalis/Parmalat lift lockout as Australian workers win an important victory 21-03-2017  Lactalis/Parmalat have lifted their 61-day lockout and withdrawn proceedings to terminate the existing enterprise bargaining agreement after the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Electrical Trades Union struck a new agreement with the company which strengthens protection against precarious work.
[read more] New Zealand Dairy Workers Union continues to organize and grow 03-02-2017 The IUF affiliate, the NZ Dairy Workers Union, has been successful in
its strategy to organize workers who work for new employers in their
industry and now has members and collective bargaining agreements with
Danone, Yili and Yashili as well as with some new smaller domestic
companies. [read more] German milk producers seek more stable pricing mechanisms 03-02-2017 Milk producers in Germany are discussing measures to counter the effects
of fluctuating milk prices. They seek greater certainty in contracting
over quantity and price, expansion and strengthening of cooperative
structures and investment in more niche high demand products. [read more] Volatility in dairy commodities market set to continue 03-02-2017 From July to December 2016, whole milk powder prices rose 73% off a very low base to be at their highest since June 2014. Without better management of supply on a global scale, milk producers
will continue to suffer through boom and bust cycles which destabilize
the industry and put jobs at risk. [read more] Arla Foods invest in production, negotiate reduction in temporary work 02-02-2017 Arla Foods have unveiled plans to invest EUR335 million in existing production sites in 2017. This is a 50% increase in investments from the previous year. The production upgrades will facilitate the company shift into more branded sales and food service categories, dairy proteins and spreadable cheese and cream cheese categories. [read more] Dairy workers in Karnataka, India declare: "Young workers need unions, unions need young workers!" 23-08-2016  On August 12, the IUF-affiliated Dairy Employees Federation of India (DEFOI) celebrated International Youth Day for the first time, organizing a conference of young dairy workers from eight districts in the state of Karnataka, India.[read more] Australian Parmalat/Lactalis workers beat lockout to win important gains in new agreement 18-07-2016 26 day strike ends at GSK Horlicks with reinstatement and permanent jobs 16-06-2016 Strike action at the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Horlicks dairy beverage factory in India has ended in victory with the reinstatement of the union president, unconditional withdrawal of all charges against union leaders and members and permanent jobs for 160 long-term casual workers. [read more] Affiliates strengthen Dairy Division at Conference in Cape Town. 07-06-2016 Affiliates pledged to increase their efforts in building international union alliances within trans national dairy companies, organize more workers into unions and to share information on collective bargaining and organizing successes. [read more] 1,950 workers continue strike action at GSK Horlicks factory in India 05-06-2016 
Members of the IUF-affiliated Milk Food Factory Workers Union at the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Horlicks dairy beverage factory in India continue their strike action to protest the company's assault on trade union rights.
[read more] Employers walk away from wage bargaining in Argentina 04-05-2016 Dairy employers in Argentina have suspended negotiations with IUF affiliate Atilra as the union works to renew the sector wide collective bargaining agreement. [read more] Spanish Dairy Workers fight Lactalis factory closure 25-04-2016  Workers employed by Lactalis in the Spanish city of Valladolid were joined by supporters on April 23 to protest the determination by the French based dairy TNC to close the factory by the end of June.
[read more] India: Strengthening Organization in the Dairy Sector. 18-03-2016  The organizing plans of The Dairy Employees Federation of India (DEFOI) focus on increasing the organization of contract workers including women workers. Unions in the federation plan to increase the participation of young workers. DEFOI celebrated their partnership with the New Zealand Dairy Workers Union[read more] Arla to close fresh milk plant in the UK 11-03-2016 Dairy Cooperative Arla Foods has announced that it will close its fresh milk plant in Hatfield Peverel, Essex, by July 2016, slashing up to 230 jobs, including 137 members of the IUF affiliate Unite the Union. [read more] Dairy Workers win in Argentina 08-03-2016 IUF affiliate ATILRA reached a settlement in its dispute with the Buenos Aires cheese manufacturer Barazza S.A. in the third day of a strike. [read more] Danone reveals investments in Africa 07-03-2016 Danone revealed at the end of February 2016 that it has made two transactions in Africa, a continent the French group dubs "a strategic region" for the company. [read more] ATILRA members strike at Buenos Aires cheese company. 02-03-2016  Workers employed by the Buenos Aires cheese manufacturer Barazza S.A. began an indefinite strike on February 29 in defense of their basic rights. The company harassed union delegates and members of the Argentinian dairy union ATILRA after issues were raised concerning non compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the company avoidance of obligations with regard to members' health and education.[read more] GSK Horlicks launches attack on dairy union in India 25-02-2016 
Local management at the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) dairy plant in Nabha, India, launched a series of attacks on the trade union in response to demands to recognize the right of long-term casual workers to permanent jobs. [read more] Court clears union boycott call in Turkey 14-01-2016  A court in Turkey determined that the language used in the Tekgıda-İş campaign material against Sütaş, one of the leading national dairy companies, was based on the concrete facts about the unfairly dismissed workers and therefore should be considered as freedom of expression not unfair competition.
[read more] Danone invests EUR240m in a new infant formula plant in Netherlands 02-12-2015 Danone has announced an investment of EUR240m (US$255m) that will see it construct a "state-of-the-art" infant formula facility in Cuijk, the Netherlands. The facility will start production in late 2017 and manufacture Danone's early life nutrition brands including Aptamil and Nutrilon for both standard and specialized products. [read more] Dairy unions in India to fight privatisation and precarious working conditions 26-11-2015
Dairy unions in India are committed to fighting the back door privatization of cooperative dairies in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and to saving the jobs of thousands of members. In the recent meeting of Dairy Employees Federation of India (DEFOI), unions from all over the country committed strong support to UP dairy workers.  On August 28 2015, two IUF affiliates representing Danone workers in Russia - AIWUR and NOVOIPROF - ratified a new national agreement with Danone Russia. The agreement aims to clarify the provisions of Danone-IUF 1997 agreement applied in case of changes in activities related to employment or terms of employment and interpret it in a way to be fully implemented in line with the national legislation and local context.[read more] IUF dairy unions highlight TPP threat to rights and livelihoods 28-08-2015  Representatives of IUF dairy unions, meeting in San Francisco on August 26, highlighted the damaging potential of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement to reduce wages and working conditions and destroy the livelihoods of workers and small producers in the dairy sector. IUF Dairy Division affiliates include unions from 9 of the 12 countries represented in the secretive negotiations.[read more] Teamsters Canada tell their Government not to trade dairy workers' jobs 24-07-2015 "We and our brothers and sisters in the dairy industries in NZ, Australia and the US share several concerns." [read more] Unite attacks "fat cat" Dairy Crest boss as pay dispute looms 02-07-2015 The IUF-affiliated Unite that represents workers at UK cheese-to-spreads group Dairy Crest has criticized the bonus the group's chief executive is reportedly due on completion of the sale of Dairy Crest's dairies division to Muller. The union's stinging attack comes ahead of pay talks scheduled for the end of the month. [read more] Dairy Employees Federation of India (DEFOI) consolidates and prepares for increased TNC presence 26-01-2015 DEFOI with support from the IUF will research TNC entry into India and conduct activist education to strengthen the ability of unions to respond effectively to the changing organizing and bargaining environment. [read more] Texas Teamsters reach contract agreement with Danone 26-01-2015 Teamsters Local 997 members at Danone`s Fort Worth, Texas, plant have ratified an agreement with the company, gaining participation in the Western Conference of Teamsters pension fund, the largest multi-employer pension plan in the United States. The three-year agreement also includes wage increases and health care protections. [read more] Dairy Division to focus on organizing within TNC's 13-10-2014 The Dairy Division Coordinating Group met in San Francisco, California, on October 3&4 to discuss strategies to defend rights and organize more workers under the Fair Deal For Dairy Workers initiative. [read more] Saputo dairy workers overwhelmingly choose Teamsters 06-10-2014 Workers at the Saputo Inc. cheese production facility in Lena,Wisc., have voted overwhelmingly, 367 to 79, in favor of representation by Teamsters Local 662 in Green Bay, Wisc. There are 459 production, maintenance and warehouse workers. [read more] Sütas Dairy Company dismisses workers, then dumps manure to intimidate picketing unionists in Turkey 08-09-2014
Fonterra: first CBA in Malaysia, job cuts in Southern Hemisphere 22-08-2014  Fonterra Malaysia and the IUF affiliated FIEU have concluded their CBA negotiations.This year there have been job cuts in Chile, NZ and Australia.
Aldo Lezana, President of the National Federation of Dairy Workers, Chile, is pictured on the left.
[read more] Fonterra cuts 104 union jobs in NZ 06-08-2014 104 positions held by members of IUF affiliates the NZDWU and EPMU are to be removed from Canpac, the Fonterra specialty packing plant in Hamilton, NZ. [read more] IUF members oppose closure of 3 Danone plants in Italy, Germany and Hungary 19-06-2014 Danone's intention to close 3 European factories producing dairy products - in Italy, Germany and Hungary - will destroy a total of 325 jobs and will seriously threaten the job security of workers at warehouses, logistics and related companies that service those Danone plants. [read more] Expansion and realignment in global dairy industry 30-05-2014 Nestle and Fonterra swap assets in Latin America while Arla increases its presence in the lucrative UK market. [read more] IUF dairy affiliates to fight trade and investment agreements 01-04-2014 IUF dairy division members call on their respective Governments to abandon the current model of investment agreements and to conduct trading relationships which respect human rights and promote food security and economic sovereignty.
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Union members at the Turkish Sütas dairy company are fighting for their rights against mass intimidation by management including dismissals, criminal complaints to the prosecution office, police raids on the union offices and the dumping of 13 tons of liquid manure on the sit-in area across the factory gate where the dismissed workers were picketing.