The Barossa and Gawler communities are being asked to support workers at the Rowland Flat winery of Pernod Ricard Winemakers in their endeavours to obtain a fair enterprise agreement.

Pernod Ricard Winemakers, owners of the Jacob’s Creek and St Hugo labels, have been accused of not living up to their corporate values in their treatment of winery workers during enterprise bargaining negotiations.

Member for Light and ALP Duty Member for Schubert, Tony Piccolo MP said that the request by workers for a three-year enterprise bargaining agreement with a fair wage increase is not an unreasonable request in the current tough economic times.

Mr Piccolo has written to the Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard Winemakers, Mr Bryan Fry, reminding him during the COVID-19 pandemic when the company was doing it tough, the workers accepted a one-year wage freeze to ensure the company could operate.

“The workers have shown their loyalty to the company by making a number of wage and condition sacrifices over recent times and now it is time for Mr Fry to recognise and support his workers during these difficult cost of living times,” said Mr Piccolo.

“These workers are local men and women who have families to support, so a fair wage increase, and some reasonable job security is not asking for too much.

“Company job advertisements encourage people to join Pernod Ricard Australia to feel acknowledged, valued, supported and empowered, but the current climate is portraying the treatment of employees in a different vein.

“It’s time the company walked the talk.

“When the company hurts these workers, it is hurting our local community as many of them live in the Barossa and Greater Gawler areas.”

During the week, Mr Piccolo met with the winery workers gathered across the road from the premises who have stopped work for another 24 hours because they feel disheartened by the one-year, low-wage enterprise agreement offered to them.

Mr Piccolo said that a number of the employees spoke with him about how they had dedicated more than 20 years to the company and are now concerned for their livelihoods, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the business’s future under new ownership.

“Over the past three years, employees said inflation has risen by almost 16 per cent, while their wages have gone up only 7 per cent,” said Mr Piccolo.

“This disparity while the company declares significant profits has left many staff feeling undervalued and underappreciated, especially as they draw comparisons to the enterprise agreements negotiated by their peers in the industry.

“While I appreciate the fact that the wine industry has done it tough over the past few years, the burden should not fall wholly on the shoulders of our local workers and their families - it has to be shared amongst all the company stakeholders.

“The fact no industrial action has been taken in over 30 years reflects how serious the matter is now as employees have chosen to take a stand and sacrifice their pay to fight for a fair wage increase and job security.”

Mr Piccolo said he was concerned that the ongoing conflict is detrimental to the brands under Pernod Ricard Winemakers and also tarnishes the reputation of our Barossa region, renowned for its world-class wine.

Mr Piccolo urged all parties to find a timely solution to the dispute, as there would be no winners in a drawn-out dispute.

“The previous enterprise agreement has already expired, and a one-year enterprise agreement will only leave employees having to renegotiate with the new owners in the next 7-8 months when the ownership of the company will be in a state of flux,” said Mr Piccolo.

The employees will stop work for another 24 hours next Tuesday, 6th August as negotiations continue.