- Sherrin’s shortage could hamper AFL finals
- Workers threaten to strike
- The wage dispute amounts to only $45,000
The AFL is at risk of a football shortage ahead of this season’s finals.
According to Nine, Sherrin’s manufacturing team, made up of more than 15 people, is threatening to strike amid a pay dispute worth $45,000.
Staff at Sherrin’s Keysborough factory are reportedly angry after being offered a four per cent annual pay rise for the next two years.
Workers are demanding a five percent pay rise, which is equivalent to a 10 percent increase over the two-year agreement.
They are employed by US company Russell Athletic to hand-stitch the balls, and the United Workers Union has filed a protected action order with the Fair Work Commission.
Following the vote’s approval, members intend to engage in protected industrial action unless they can reach a resolution.
The workforce typically produces between 200 and 250 Sherrins for AFL and AFLW matches, meaning any time off work could put both competitions in jeopardy.
A wage dispute has broken out between Sherrin and the factory workers, which could lead to strikes.
This means the AFL finals could be in jeopardy due to a shortage of footballs.
The report adds that there is a backlog of balls that could last approximately six weeks, which could coincide with the finals in September.
A hit also risks hitting the new balls with cutting-edge chips, which are currently being tested in the women’s competition.
United Workers Union representative Steve Howie said: ‘Gil McLachlan’s salary last year was $33,653 a week without bonuses, so a pay rise for Sherrin workers would be equivalent to one week and two days’ pay for the AFL chief executive.’