Abbott was joined by Victorian Premier, Denis Napthineto open the facility which will be processing milk for more than 400 Coles stores under the supermarket’s private label brand, The Weekly Times reports.
“The new site utilises world-leading technology and quality standards that will assist in positioning Devondale Murray Goulburn as the nation’s most efficient producer of daily pasteurised milk — a market which currently uses approximately 20 per cent of total Australian milk production,” said managing director of Murray Goulburn, Gary Helou.
“Our entry into daily pasteurised liquid milk is a natural strategic step for the Co-operative, supported by a groundbreaking partnership with Coles that will deliver a sustainable increase in the farmgate milk price of Australian dairy farmers.”
The opening comes just days after more than 100 workers from Murray Goulburn’s six milk processing sites announced that they will strike on Friday as part of a campaign for better wages and conditions.
Peter Mooney, from the Electrical Trade Union (ETU) said that Murray Goulburn has been notified of the stoppage.
“The company has also been notified of a 24 hour stoppage of work to take place on Friday 4th July. Our members have further endorsed the unions to notify the company of further stoppages of work if agreement is not reached on the new workplace Agreement,” said Mooney.
“The commencement of this protected industrial action follows six months of negotiations between the company and the unions that have not resulted in agreement being reached on the new workplace Agreement.”
