signed toward goal; “Add a voice for a fair, inclusive agreement.”
UWU members at Padre Coffee roast and make the coffee that Melbournians love.
Union members at Padre Coffee are negotiating their first ever workplace agreement and are seeking:
In 2022, Padre Coffee was acquired by Liverpool Partners, who also acquired Seven Miles Coffee Roasters in 2021. Despite Seven Miles CEO Jenny Willits being quoted saying, “Seven Miles Coffee Roasters and Padre Coffee have both long shared a passion for the pursuit of exceptional coffee,” and going on to talk about the company’s ‘people focussed approach’, over the last year resourcing and working conditions for workers at Padre have declined.
In Brunswick, Melbourne, UWU members work hard producing this coffee for their community, and after over a year of bargaining, the claims most important to Padre Coffee workers (Paid Gender Affirmation Leave, Paid Sorry Business Leave, and a Fair Wage Increase) have been rejected outright. The Company has dismissed them as unnecessary, despite being consistent with basic equal opportunity principles and emerging best practice in inclusive workplaces.
Workers started a petition, and more than a thousand people have signed to show their support. Momentum is growing. Now, you can send a message directly to Brad Lancken, Managing Partner at Liverpool Partners , to say that you support wage justice, dignity at work, and the right to be safe and included – no matter your background, culture or gender identity. Your voice can help send a clear message to Padre and Seven Miles: it’s time to come to the table and negotiate a fair, inclusive agreement.
In mid-2024, workers at Padre Coffee’s Brunswick East roastery made the decision to unionise. This was not a step taken lightly – but it was a necessary one. Since the business was bought out by corporate coffee giant Seven Miles, working conditions have steadily declined. The sense of family and community that once defined the workplace has been lost under a top-down corporate culture.
The tipping point came when one of our colleagues – our workplace delegate – began discussions with management about taking leave to undergo gender affirmation surgery. At the same time, the team had grown increasingly concerned about low wages, rising workloads, and a lack of workplace respect.
Padre workers currently earn salaries starting at just $55,000 a year – an amount that falls well short of what’s needed to live in Brunswick East, let alone thrive. Meanwhile, the Company has appointed two CEOs, both reportedly earning salaries in the $300,000 range – meaning one executive’s pay equals the entire annual wages of the roastery team combined.
Gender affirmation leave isn’t a luxury – it’s about basic dignity. Trans people face significant financial, social and emotional costs in accessing affirming healthcare. No one should have to quit their job just to transition safely. Paid gender affirmation leave is one small, critical step toward visibility, safety and equality for trans workers – and the fact that it’s being dismissed sends a harmful message about who belongs in our workplaces.
Padre’s Brunswick East workers are proud to be part of their community – but they can’t fight this fight alone. The Company has shown little interest in engaging meaningfully at the bargaining table. Now, we need our community to help push for change.
DISCLAIMER: This campaign expresses the industrial views of the United Workers Union and our members.
