No more iced coffee?! Find out why a popular iced coffee brand is facing an imminent shortage
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Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we’ve got a serious appreciation for coffee. Whether it’s an espresso in the morning to get us going or a smooth latte mid-afternoon for an extra boost, coffee has been our most trusted friend for decades.
Meanwhile, some coffee lovers love cold and strong iced coffee during hot summer days, like Dare Iced Coffee.
But it seems that this refreshing drink might be in a shortage soon.
Dozens of employees at the Bega factory responsible for producing the popular Dare Iced Coffee and Dairy Farmers Milk went on strike on Sunday, September 24, as they demanded a better pay rise.
The factory staff, located in Penrith, Sydney's west, called for a seven per cent raise in the first year and five per cent in subsequent years as a response to the rising cost of living in the area.
The industrial action was launched after the cheese and milk giant only offered workers a four per cent rise for the first year and a 3.75 per cent rise for the second.
The United Workers Union (UWU) believed that the strike would impact the company’s production and would incur ‘a bunch of angry tradies’—referring to the fact that Dare Iced Coffee is a favourite for many workers.
The organisation claimed it is now up to Bega to understand the importance of offering a pay rise that responds to real-life costs, as the price tag of life essentials such as housing has more than doubled in the area.
Neil Smith, a UWU National Dairy Coordinator, said, 'Workers out at Penrith don't volunteer to take strike action lightly. They'll be missing out on hundreds of dollars while they're out the gate.’
He continued: ‘But we need Bega to understand that sub-inflation pay rises aren't going to cut it when our members are seeing housing costs double and other essentials increase threefold.'
As of writing, Bega employees are now on their fifth day on strike. UWU also posted about the industrial action on social media, writing: ‘All Bega workers want is a fair pay rise that respects the billion-dollar profits they've made possible.’
‘These factory workers made sure milk didn't run dry through the pandemic. They also accepted a lower pay deal during COVID-19 to support the company through uncertain times,’ they said.
'Now workers want a fair deal that respects their work,' UWU stated.
In 2022-2023, The Bega Group reported a $3.4 billion revenue, which is a 12 per cent increase from the previous financial year.
But net profits have decreased by 38 per cent to $28.5 million, which was affected by ‘significant’ farm gate milk price rises.
As of this article’s publishing, Bega has not released a statement.
You can watch UWU’s video here:
The route to resolution appears to be a long and winding one, and while the thoughts of a Dare iced coffee shortage are on everyone’s minds, it appears that the battle is far from over.
This news comes at the heels of UWU’s strike against Inghams, Australia’s largest poultry producer.
Workers at the company have demanded an 18 per cent pay rise over three years last Friday, September 22. The union warned that their strike could result in a poultry shortage that could affect suppliers like Woolworths, Coles, ALDI, KFC, McDonald's and Subway.
According to UWU’s social media page, the company have met their demands, and the workers returned to work on September 27.
News reports have also confirmed that Inghams made a commitment to change their labour hire practices, improve breaks, and audit senior management behaviour.
‘The workers that kept Australia fed during COVID took a pretty admirable stance just over a week ago, and because they stuck together, they’re now going to have a nice little bonus ahead of the Christmas holidays,’ UWU National Secretary Tim Kennedy said.
What do you think about this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Meanwhile, some coffee lovers love cold and strong iced coffee during hot summer days, like Dare Iced Coffee.
But it seems that this refreshing drink might be in a shortage soon.
Dozens of employees at the Bega factory responsible for producing the popular Dare Iced Coffee and Dairy Farmers Milk went on strike on Sunday, September 24, as they demanded a better pay rise.
The factory staff, located in Penrith, Sydney's west, called for a seven per cent raise in the first year and five per cent in subsequent years as a response to the rising cost of living in the area.
Australia could be hit by a shortage of Bega products like Dare Iced Coffee and Dairy Farmers Milk. Credit: Woolworths
The industrial action was launched after the cheese and milk giant only offered workers a four per cent rise for the first year and a 3.75 per cent rise for the second.
The United Workers Union (UWU) believed that the strike would impact the company’s production and would incur ‘a bunch of angry tradies’—referring to the fact that Dare Iced Coffee is a favourite for many workers.
The organisation claimed it is now up to Bega to understand the importance of offering a pay rise that responds to real-life costs, as the price tag of life essentials such as housing has more than doubled in the area.
Neil Smith, a UWU National Dairy Coordinator, said, 'Workers out at Penrith don't volunteer to take strike action lightly. They'll be missing out on hundreds of dollars while they're out the gate.’
He continued: ‘But we need Bega to understand that sub-inflation pay rises aren't going to cut it when our members are seeing housing costs double and other essentials increase threefold.'
As of writing, Bega employees are now on their fifth day on strike. UWU also posted about the industrial action on social media, writing: ‘All Bega workers want is a fair pay rise that respects the billion-dollar profits they've made possible.’
Workers at the Bega factory in Penrith, Sydney, launched an industrial action against the company. Credit: United Workers Union/Facebook
‘These factory workers made sure milk didn't run dry through the pandemic. They also accepted a lower pay deal during COVID-19 to support the company through uncertain times,’ they said.
'Now workers want a fair deal that respects their work,' UWU stated.
In 2022-2023, The Bega Group reported a $3.4 billion revenue, which is a 12 per cent increase from the previous financial year.
But net profits have decreased by 38 per cent to $28.5 million, which was affected by ‘significant’ farm gate milk price rises.
As of this article’s publishing, Bega has not released a statement.
You can watch UWU’s video here:
The route to resolution appears to be a long and winding one, and while the thoughts of a Dare iced coffee shortage are on everyone’s minds, it appears that the battle is far from over.
This news comes at the heels of UWU’s strike against Inghams, Australia’s largest poultry producer.
Workers at the company have demanded an 18 per cent pay rise over three years last Friday, September 22. The union warned that their strike could result in a poultry shortage that could affect suppliers like Woolworths, Coles, ALDI, KFC, McDonald's and Subway.
According to UWU’s social media page, the company have met their demands, and the workers returned to work on September 27.
News reports have also confirmed that Inghams made a commitment to change their labour hire practices, improve breaks, and audit senior management behaviour.
‘The workers that kept Australia fed during COVID took a pretty admirable stance just over a week ago, and because they stuck together, they’re now going to have a nice little bonus ahead of the Christmas holidays,’ UWU National Secretary Tim Kennedy said.
What do you think about this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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haven’t drunk dare in years way too sweet. You can feel your teeth rotting from the sugar.
