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Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Australia's favourite mud cake sold at Coles and Woolworths could vanish from shelves as bakery staff revolt
Fans of an iconic mud cake sold at major supermarkets could see the dessert vanish from shelves as workers at one of Australia's largest bakeries walk off the job. Allied Pinnacle supplies baked goods to more than 3,000 businesses nationwide, including major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths. The company bakes some of Australia's most beloved treats, including hot cross buns, caramel slices, rocky road donuts, and, of course, the chocolate mud cake. The company has over 20 sites across the country, which includes flour mills, as well as baking and mixing locations. But on Wednesday, workers at Allied Pinnacle's Altona bakery, about 10km southwest of Melbourne 's CBD, walked off the job in a protest of their wages. The company employs approximately 1,300 staff nationwide, with around 150 employees from the Altona site participating in a 48 hour strike. Workers are demanding a 15 per cent wage increase over the next three year after rejecting the company's offer of 11.25 per cent over the same period. United Workers Union Food and Beverage Coordinator Adam Auld said the ongoing cost of living crisis was a key driver behind the industrial action. 'Wage offers with a 3 or a 4 in front of them just don't cut it in the face of food, housing, medical, petrol, school and care costs,' he said. 'Workers need a real wage increase. 'This strike should send a clear message to senior management that workers need real wage increases and respect at a time of chronic financial stress for families.' The United Workers Union and Allied Pinnacle have been locked in protracted wages negotiations since September 2024. Staff at the Altona site are also striking over a significantly lower night shift allowance - 19 per cent compared to the 30 per cent received by colleagues in other locations. 'This has to change and workers in Altona are demanding respect. We're calling on senior management to intervene so we can get back to work,' a worker said. The strike is expected to impact a number of Allied Pinnacle suppliers. Coles has played down concerns of a shortage and assured customers the baked good were not expected to run out anytime soon. 'We know how much our customers love the classic Coles Mudcake, and it forms a central part of celebrations right across the country,' a spokesperson said. 'In good news for our customers, we have plenty of mud cakes.' In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Allied Pinnacle said they were focusing on supplying to their customers. 'Allied Pinnacle respects the rights of its employees to engage in industrial action and is committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement. 'Maintaining supply and service to customers is a key priority, and disruption is not anticipated at this stage.' But Mr Auld said this is only the beginning, and that the union would take further action if no deal was negotiated. 'If there is no movement from Allied Pinnacle then workers will come together to decide on taking further action next week or in the future,' he said.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Iconic sweet treat in jeopardy over worker pay disputes
Sweet tooths will have a bitter taste in their mouths with an iconic supermarket treat being harder to find as workers strike over pay. Food workers behind the iconic chocolate mudcake, as well as other baked goods for many major brands, walked off the job at Allied Pinnacle's factory in Altona North in Melbourne on Wednesday. The strike is a part of a planned 48-hour stoppage. Staff are wanting a 15 per cent pay increase over three years but are being offered increases of 4 per cent, 3.75 per cent and 3.5 per cent each year. 'The makers of the famous Coles chocolate mudcake are on strike,' the United Workers Union (UWU) wrote on social media. 'You've probably eaten what they bake, from Bakers Delight croissants to Woolworths muffins to cafe cookies. At the Altona factory, Allied Pinnacle workers produce baked goods that end up in thousands of stores and bakeries across the country. 'But while the products are everywhere, the workers behind them are being underpaid and disrespected.' As of Thursday afternoon, 150 workers were carrying out day two of the strike to demand fair pay and equal treatment, the statement added. UWU food and beverage co-ordinator Adam Auld said workers were not being offered a fair wage increase in the face of the cost-of-living crisis. 'Wage offers with a 3 or a 4 in front of them just don't cut it in the face of food, housing, medical, petrol, school and care costs,' he said. 'This strike should send a clear message to senior management that workers need real wage increases and respect at a time of chronic financial stress for families.' Almost 15,000 Coles chocolate mudcakes are baked in the North Altona factory each day. Workers are also disputing nightshift allowances, claiming they are receiving 19 per cent while colleagues at other Allied Pinnacle worksites are taking home 30 per cent.
