Workers at the historic James Boag’s Brewery in Launceston are urging Tasmanians to fight to save the 145-year-old beer brand from leaving the state.
The United Workers Union today launched a community petition calling on owner Lion to sell the brewery rather than shut it down.
Lion, a subsidiary of Japanese giant Kirin, announced on June 2 that it plans to close the Launceston brewery in November and brew Boag’s beer on the mainland instead.
The closure would cost 42 jobs directly. The Launceston City Council says up to 150 people will be affected and the local economy will be left $30 million lighter.
Lion says the site is no longer viable. It has been running at about a fifth of its capacity for years as Australians drink less beer.
Boags workers and union officials gathered outside the brewery this morning to launch their campaign.
United Workers Union Tasmania co-ordinator Amy Brumby said the brand belonged to the state.
“Boags belongs to Tasmania, it’s part of our history,” Brumby said.
“It’s a symbol of Northern Tasmania, an important tourist attraction and a significant boost to our local economy.”
Workers want another operator to be given the chance to buy the brewery and keep it running in Tasmania.
“Why close it down when someone else could keep it going?” Brumby said.
“Almost 150 years of tradition here in Launceston would be erased because of decisions made in a boardroom overseas.”
She said the fight was about more than money.
“This is our history, Tasmania’s heritage. Lion should sell Boags so we can keep an iconic part of Tasmania’s history,” she said.
“This is not just about business, this is about culture.”
Lion has promised a $500,000 fund to retrain workers who cannot be redeployed and another $500,000 over five years for local community groups.
It will also repay a $1 million state government grant.
The Boag’s Brewhouse visitor centre, reopened last year after a $2.4 million revamp, will stay open as the home of the brand.
The union has written to Premier Jeremy Rockliff urging him to step in. Rockliff previously said he was “extremely disappointed” by the decision.
Brumby warned that brewing Boags interstate would damage the brand.
“Nobody is going to drink a Boags made on the mainland – it will kill the brand,” she said.
