On the weekend, striking poultry workers at Baiada’s Laverton factory and their supporters defeated police attempts to break up their picket, which has now been going strong for nearly a week. Then on Sunday, the workers and their union held a successful union and community rally to support the workers’ demands for better wages, safety conditions and permanent jobs. Click here for photos and videos.
Community members and strikers successfully defend the picket from the police
Celebration on the picket line after the police retreat
Jody Betzien’s set of photograph of Sunday’s community rally at the Laverton picket
Workers and supporters celebrate their success.
A Baiada worker addresses the crowd.
The rally drew support from across the union movement, and heard from Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) secretary, Ged Kearney.
The whole banner in this photo reads “what’s outrageous? Poultry wages!”
The crowd demonstrates its enthusiasm and support for the Baiada strikers.