The strike at Carlton United Breweries' Abbotsford plant and the widespread boycott of CUB products is over after 180 days. Unions say the company has agreed to all the workers' demands.
The strike began after 55 electricians and fitters had their contracts terminated in June and were told to reapply for their positions. Under the new work agreement, their wages would be slashed by up to 65 per cent, according to the ETU and AMWU.
CUB disputed the 65 per cent figure and said the rate of pay was "well above award".
The contract included a provision to allow the contractor to reduce their pay to just 50 cents above the award whenever the hire contractor chose.
Most of the workers rejected the new contracts and set up a picketline; through the Melbourne winter it became a fixture, with pool tables and ping pong, and fire drums to keep warm.
Unions organised a nationwide boycott of CUB products including Victoria Bitter, Carlton Draught and Strongbow. There were anecdotal reports of a drop in sales of CUB products, especially during the AFL Grand Final weekend, but this hasn't yet been confirmed with sales data.
ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said the workers would go back to work on Monday "with their jobs secure at their full pay and conditions."
"I'm sure that with Christmas and New Year right around the corner our members and supporters will be relieved to hear that CUB is back on the menu," he said.
CUB had been using temporary workers in the Abbottsford plant. In late October, it reassured customers and consumers it had adequate supplies of beer for the upcoming peak season.
In a statement today, CUB confirmed "all the picketing workers had been invited to return to work at their previous positions at the Abbotsford brewery on fair and decent union terms and conditions, which provide job security to the workers."
It added that all parties had agreed to implementing "productivity and efficiency improvements".
"All parties are pleased to resolve this dispute," it said.
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