HARRY HARTOG AND BERKELOUW BOOKS WORKERS TO GO ON STRIKE

The Socialist Bulletin Staff - 8/12/2025

IN a move reminiscent of their first major action as a union, Retail and Fast Food Workers' Union members at Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books will go on strike to advocate for improved pay and conditions.

The member-driven union has pushed the two bookstore chains, which are currently covered by a zombie enterprise bargaining agreement dating to 2012, to the bargaining table, however the two companies have reneged on negotiations.

Work bans in several areas, including "meetings with managers, receiving stock, [and] restocking shelves", according to RAFFWU, will begin on Wednesday, 10 December. 

Currently, workers at Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books are under a "disgraceful zombie cafe agreement with 4-hour minimum part-time contracts, no penalty rates on evenings, weekends and public holidays, and many other cuts to minimum Award conditions.", according to the Union. 

95% of workers at the two bookstore chains voted in favour of the protected industrial action.

This strike is the second in bookselling led by the Retail and Fast Food Workers' Union since their foundation in 2016. The first, at Newtown bookstore Better Read than Dead in 2021, was one of the most successful actions led by the Union, and today workers at Better Read have conditions entirely unheard of in the industry.

A rally will be held on 13 December to support the striking workers.