Workers occupy factory in Dandenong

Chris Peterson writes that Workers occupy factory in Dandenong.

Workers at International Flavours & Fragrances (IFF) began occupying the Dandenong factory on January 27 after negotiations for a new workplace agreement stalled. Negotiations have been ongoing since June, after contention arose over management’s proposal for a $0.55 an hour wage rise if workers forfeited one of their two paid 10 minute breaks.

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The occupying workers say they are not just defending their own conditions, but also those that unionists fought hard to win in the past and will fight to win in the future.

Emphasis Mine

These workers have seen beyond their own economic circumstances to the plight of workers generally. This is the beginning of class consciousness amongst the workers. But it is only the first step.