Youth hands himself in
A Warragul youth has been remanded in custody after handing himself into police in relation to damage of earthworks equipment.
Police said the 18-year-old man allegedly used star pickets to smash windows of Caterpillar earth moving equipment at the Warragul Early Learning Centre construction site in Bowen St.
More than $10,000 damage was caused.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon and was videoed by two witnesses.
Police said the man handed himself into police later that day. He was remanded in custody to appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
A 15-day strike by staff at Jindi Cheese ended on Thursday when workers voted unanimously to endorse a pay rise.
However, details of the resolution have not been released.
About 20 Lactalis Jindi Cheese staff walked off the job on Wednesday, November 13 when they sought a better pay deal that matched colleagues at Longwarry and Rowville sites.
A social media post by the United Workers Union said the workers took action because they felt they had no choice but to strike.
“Jindi cheese workers showed the power when workers come together and take action for their rights.
“By coming together and taking action, workers can make a huge difference in their lives,” the post said.
Union members were not allowed to disclose details of the agreement reached with management last week other than to say they had accepted the deal.
Pay equity between Lactalis colleagues across its Jindivick and Longwarry sites was the catalyst for two thirds of the Jindi Cheese staff walking out.
Staff formed a picket line at the Jindivick property to disrupt production and make their voices heard.
Staff, largely women, took industrial action after ongoing enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations failed to deliver price equity between Lactalis sites.
Union members were at the picket line around the clock for 15 days, initially asking trucks not to cross for deliveries or collections.
Mid-way through the dispute, union members gave an undertaking to management they would no longer approach trucks entering the property for deliveries or production collection.