In August at a plant in Perth, Australia, Pfizer had to contend with striking workers over a proposed wage increase that employees found insufficient.
Three months later and across the continent in Melbourne, workers at another Pfizer facility have walked out, claiming the company’s proposed wage increases fall far short of the pace of inflation, the Australian Financial Review reports.
The 24-hour walkout began on Wednesday, with more than 100 workers protesting Pfizer’s proposed 10% pay raise over three years. Instead, the workers are calling for a 17% increase over the period.
The workers cite Australia’s 7% percent inflation rate—the nation’s highest in 32 years—which is expected to reach 8% next month.
In a request for comment, Pfizer cited an independent external market data provider, pointing out that employees at the plant are paid between 18 percent and 30 percent higher than the market’s median wage.
"Pfizer is working closely with the union to agree on an enterprise agreement that works for all employees, which offers fair and reasonable terms for wages and allowances, and addresses the increased cost of living from a rise in inflation," a company spokesperson said over email.
Another issue at the plant is Pfizer’s desire to make it a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week operation, the Financial Review reports.
The company is offering an $8,000 payout to the workers over a three-year period if they scrap a requirement that 12-hour and weekend shifts can only be established by a majority vote of employees.
At the plant in Perth, which Pfizer plans to exit in 2024, the company offered a 12% wage increase while workers pushed for an 18% bump over three years, citing the $25 billion in profit Pfizer collected in 2021. The parties eventually agreed to a 14% increase, with 8% bonuses.