Australia could soon find itself grappling with a concerning chicken shortage, as over a thousand workers at the country’s largest poultry producer, Inghams, prepare to initiate industrial action in pursuit of better wages.
In a move that could significantly impact the nation’s supply chain, workers in South Australia and Western Australia are set to strike for 24 hours on Friday, demanding an 18 percent pay rise over the next three years, equating to approximately an extra $1.50 per hour per worker.
Inghams, a key supplier to major retailers such as Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, and fast-food giants like KFC, McDonald’s, and Subway, plays a pivotal role in Australia’s poultry industry.
The impending strike underscores the importance of these workers to the nation’s food supply, raising concerns about potential disruptions in the availability of chicken products across the country.
The United Workers Union (UWU) emphasised that unless Inghams engages in meaningful negotiations leading to a fair agreement, the workers are ready to escalate their industrial action, a move that could significantly disrupt the availability of chicken supplies.
According to the UWU, Inghams has the financial capacity to accommodate the 6 percent annual pay raise, considering the substantial profits it has accumulated due to customers absorbing the increasing chicken prices.
In August, Inghams cautioned that elevated expenses related to feed and energy might lead to yet another hike in chicken product prices, following a 12 percent increase in the past year, as reported by The Australian.
As per the publication’s findings, Inghams disclosed that their revenue for the fiscal year 2023 surged by 12.2 percent to reach $3.04 billion, accompanied by a remarkable 72 percent increase in net profit, totaling $60.4 million.
