THE largest dairy strike in living memory in Australia’s largest milk producing state starts at 13 sites across regional and metro Victoria on Wednesday, with workers demanding a cost-of-living wage increase.

The strike has disrupted the supply distribution which could impact some product availability on supermarket shelves.

Some 1400 workers walked off the job for 48 hours from the first shift across four major dairy producers – Fonterra, Saputo, Lactalis and Peter’s – where national brands including Western Star butter, Cracker Barrel cheese, Peter’s Icecream and Perfect Italiano are manufactured.

This included Kiewa's Suputo factory where YoPRO yoghurt, and Danone cream cheese is manufactured.

“Workers who put up with wage increases as low as 2.5 per cent a year during the pandemic are saying they deserve a cost-of-living wage increase,” United Workers Union national secretary, Tim Kennedy, said.

“These workers are fighting for safe, secure jobs in regional communities, where almost every dollar they earn goes back into those communities.

“Given the historic nature of the strike across the state consumers can expect a big impact on supply chains and their favourite products.”

Mr Kennedy said workers who had backed the multinational companies had seen milk prices rise and the profits of the companies increase, but workers had not received a fair share.

“These workers are not even asking for a wage increase that keeps them ahead of the current inflation rate,” Mr Kennedy said.

“While the dairy industry sees profit increases, these financial gains are not being fairly distributed to the workers.

"Our members are the backbone of this industry, and it’s high time profits are shared more fairly.”