Will there be a chocolate shortage this Christmas?
<p>Cadbury factor workers are set to go on strike next week over pay and rostering, raising the prospect of a chocolate shortage for the peak Christmas and Easter periods.</p>
<p>The supply of <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/food-wine/2017/08/cadbury-chocolate-bars-are-about-to-look-very-different/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>popular chocolate varieties such as Dairy Milk</strong></span></a>, Roses and Freddo are expected to be impacted by the industrial action at the Ringwood factory in Melbourne.</p>
<p>The Electrical Trades Union (ETU), which represents the group of 12 electricians who will be striking, pointed the finger at <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/11/outrage-over-changes-to-toblerone/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>international giant Mondelēz</strong></span></a> (which owns Cadbury), which took away worker’s ability to share the worst shifts.</p>
<p>The union says Mondelēz’s move to impose a permanent, fixed roster is “dehumanising”, “banishing” some workers to night and weekend shifts on reduced rates.</p>
<p>The ETU also alleges management has made “inferences” that anyone who speaks out against the proposed changes will be punished with the worst shifts.</p>
<p>One of the workers, who spoke to <em><a href="http://www.news.com.au" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>news.com.au</strong></span></a></em> on the condition of anonymity, describes how the group had shared unsociable hours through a rotating roster.</p>
<p>“All we’re asking is that we have input, so you don’t get stuck on a shift pattern, working every second weekend and are too tired to get up and watch your kids play footy,” he said. “We want the chance to be able to share it among ourselves as evenly as we can to mitigate family issues.”</p>
<p>“A machine might have a hiccup, we go and effectively do a repair,” he added.</p>
<p>“We enjoy the work we’re doing, we have a damn good crew there that make wonderful products, but management have gone down this silly avenue,” he said.</p>
<p>Mondelēz hit back at allegations, with a spokesperson issuing the following statement:</p>
<p>“Electricians working with the company already benefit from extremely generous working conditions and wages that far exceed award standards,” the spokeswoman said.</p>
<p>“There is nothing in the proposed EA that changes this — there are no plans to scrap Saturday penalty rates, nor is the company planning to move to a permanent fixed night or weekend roster. What this EA does seek, is to maintain existing flexibility and responsiveness to modern manufacturing practices.</p>
<p>“It is extremely disappointing that the ETU has taken this approach on the basis that Mondelēz International cannot agree to the Union’s requests to remove existing longstanding practices. Their removal will prevent the flexibility the company needs to remain competitive in this globally challenging environment.</p>
<p>“Mondelēz International remains committed to continuing to negotiate with the Union in good faith to arrive at an agreement that acts in the interests of its employees, and at the same time ensures the global competitiveness and sustainability of the site in Ringwood.</p>
<p>“The company looks forward to reaching an agreement with the Union in the near future.”</p>
<p>What are your thoughts? Does this sort of news make you want to avoid Cadbury products in the future? </p>
