Workers at the embattled confectionery company, Darrell Lea, have publicly thanked Australia for supporting the company in droves since it entered administration three weeks ago.

AMWU members headed to Darrell Lea’s George Street store in Central Sydney last Friday, to express their gratitude to the thousands of Australians who have turned sales around since news of the company’s difficulties were made public.

“People have come out in droves, responding to appeals to support Darrell Lea during this difficult time,” said AMWU Food and Confectionery Division Secretary Jennifer Dowell.
 
“There has definitely been a sharp increase in demand for product – the workers at the factory are working hard to keep the product on the shelves.
 
“I’ve heard they’ve run out of licorice and Rocky Road in some stores.
 
“The administrators have told us the stores are generating good revenue. It’s that increased revenue paying the wages of the workers of the factory and keeping them in jobs, which is a good position to be in while we wait to see if we can find a buyer.”
 
AMWU delegate and Darrell Lea worker Mick Mehanna said the response from the public was heartening. 

“We really appreciate the support. And we’d like to thank the public for coming and shopping. We know Darrell Lea is still very popular, and if we were to close down, people would miss it.”

Mr Mehanna, who has worked for the company making the iconic Rocky Road and licorice for 14-years, said his job was “a fantastic one”.

“You have lovely people around you and it’s been a great place to work. We hope they (potential new owners) will buy the whole lot and keep it going as it is.

“It’s now two or three weeks and we still don’t have a buyer. We don’t know whether they will be interested in part of the company or the whole.”

He admitted workers were still very concerned and anxious about their future.

“There are 700 people that depend on this. The administrators haven’t told us exactly what’s going on, so we’re just waiting.”