SAFETY AT COLES LIQUORLAND NORTHCOTE A shining moment of community solidarity emerged with a fantastic action held in front of the store in October 2023. However, the response from the company was a cold calculation of costs rather than a commitment to the safety of its workforce. Labelling it as 'not cost-effective,' the company callously dismissed our demand for a promise that workers would never work alone and rejected our demand for a safety guard to mitigate safety risks. This disregard for the safety of Liquorland Northcote's employees highlights a systemic At Liquorland Northcote in Melbourne's inner north, the stark reality of corporate negligence is painfully evident. For years, employees at this store have borne witness to the consequences of a ruthless pursuit of profits at the expense of their safety. Facing the daunting prospect of robberies by groups as large as fifteen individuals, RAFFWU members and their delegate Madeleine took a stand, demanding measures to ensure their security. Selling Liquor Has Inherent Risks We know that liquor stores carry the risk of selling intoxicating, addictive, expensive and regulated products. These characteristics make liquor stores an inherently higher risk for workplace theft and confrontation. Madeleine and the team at Northcote Liquorland are showing when we act together we can push back against those who would put us at risk to make a quick buck. As we go to print in December 2023, members have at least 2 workers on every shift and a safety guard in store. However, there are no guarantees and our campaign will build to ensure every boss understands member safety is more important than all their profits. issue across the industry – employers putting profits before the protection of those who make their businesses thrive. This is not the end of the story; it's a powerful beginning. As RAFFWU members at Liquorland Northcote continue to build their campaign for a secure workplace, their fight resonates far beyond the confines of their store. This is a rallying cry for change, a call to arms for workers everywhere to unite and demand the respect and dignity they rightfully deserve. The battle for workplace safety has just begun, and RAFFWU stands firm, ready to support workers in their fight for the safety they deserve.
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