Lots of public support for 7-Eleven workers
Last Friday UNITE staged another successful action against 7-Eleven. This time activists blockaded the 7-Eleven petrol station on Victoria Street in East Melbourne. The usually busy store did next to no business while the action was taking place.
About 50 people attended the action in protest against the poverty wages that 7-Eleven franchisees pay their workers. UNITE has recently revealed that some 7-Eleven workers are paid as little as $8 per hour!
Hundreds of leaflets were distributed to cars as they were stopped in traffic outside the store. Many more motorists tooted at our placards which displayed slogans like “7-Eleven: Low pay 24 hours a day” and “Big Gulp drinks – Big wages rip-off!”
Thousands more homes around the area were letterboxed with leaflets explaining how 7-Eleven treat their workers.
It is clear from the response we are getting from the public that there is no support in society for the type of dodgy employment practices that 7-Eleven is engaged in.
About half and hour into the action four police cars turned up and tried to persuade us to wind up the action. This only made the protesters more determined to stay.
As UNITE Secretary Anthony Main said “It is us who should be calling the police. 7-Eleven have literately stolen thousands of dollars off hundreds of workers.”
UNITE is seeking commitment from 7-Eleven head office that they are putting plans in place to ensure that all of their franchisees start sticking to the law. More reports and photos will be available soon.