Cheer cheese is losing money and laying off workers as sales slump due to ditching its old name Coon over spurious 'racism' accusations, TV host claims
- Conservative commentator blamed sacking of 75 people on Coon name change
- Coon cheese became Cheer after a campaign saying the old name was racist
- Company owner said layoffs caused by financial losses and milk supply issues
An Australian conservative commentator believes the sacking of up to 75 workers at a factory making what was formerly called Coon cheese is a case of 'go woke, go broke'.
In July 2021, the then 90-year-old Australian Coon cheese brand changed its name to Cheer after a campaign saying the old name was racist.
Cheer cheese owner Saputo has always maintained the cheese was named after American cheesemaker Edward Coon.
On Tuesday night, Sky News Australia host Rowan Dean greeted the layoffs by saying 'Who'd have thought "Go woke, go broke".
'We did warn back over a year ago that if Coon cheese decided to go woke...,' he said while co-host Rita Panahi laughed along.
Coon cheese announced its name change to Cheer with an ad (pictured), but 16 months later it is laying off 75 people
'We now learn that Coon cheese, which changed its name to the really catchy name of Cheer cheese - I mean that rolls off the tongue, it really does,' Dean joked.
'They've just fired 75 workers and it looks like they're going down the proverbial.'
To back up his thesis, he turned to American conservative commentator James Morrow in his Washington DC office.
'This is of course what was going to happen. There was a whole controversy around it, when there needed to be none,' Morrow said.
'There was one noisy activist, do you remember, one guy who made it his life's work of 10, 20 years to try and change the name of this cheese.'
Morrow was probably referring to Aboriginal activist Dr Stephen Hagan, who, along with many others, spent two decades lobbying to have the brand name changed as the word 'coon' is a slur against people of colour.
Morrow continued: 'Then it became Cheer cheese, which sounds like a laundry detergent or something like that.'
Dean and Panahi then laughed their approval at his jibe.
It is not known if the change of name from Coon to Cheer played any role in falling sales of the cheese, or if it was more a case of increasing prices causing consumers to switch to cheaper products.
Its chief operating officer Leanne Cutts said it was a 'very difficult decision'.
'Today's announcement continues our journey towards long-term success for our business in Australia by increasing our efficiency and productivity, and making our business more competitive,' she said.
'Site management will work closely with affected employees at the three impacted sites to discuss redeployment and retraining opportunities.
'Where alternative roles are not available, these employees will be provided with severance and outplacement support,' Ms Cutts said.
Rita Panahi (left) and James Morrow (right) laughed along as Rowan Dean (centre) said Cheer cheese's owners were laying off 75 people because of the name change from Coon
At the time the name change was announced in January 2021, though, some people did say they would boycott the brand over the name change.
One man tweeted 'What a deadset joke this is! It's been "Coon" cheese for 85 years straight and is the damn surname of the founder.
Coon cheese had been much-loved by Australians for almost nine decades before it changed its name to Cheer. Pictured is an old advertisement
'What a world this has become - filled with sensitive f**k out there! Ain't buying this damn cheese no more!'
Another said: 'For 53 years mum and dads fridge always had Coon cheese as mine always had Coon cheese.
'When you change the name, we stop buying Coon cheese.'
Most watched News videos
- 'I'm deeply concerned': PureGym CEO gives honest opinion about Gaza
- Prince Harry and Meghan pay visit to the Lagos state governor
- Prince William says Kate is 'doing well' after her cancer diagnosis
- Israel's Eden Golan performs amid loud boos during the Eurovision final
- Greta Thunberg joins pro-Palestinian protest outside Eurovision venue
- Harry and Meghan spotted holding hands at polo match in Nigeria
- War on Tape: Russia's deadly Glide Bombs causing havoc in Ukraine
- Israel's Eden Golan receives hero's welcome as she flies back home
- David Cameron blasts BBC for failing to call Hamas 'terrorists'
- Moment Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at Lagos House Marina
- Russia launches blizzard of missiles and kamikaze drones on Ukraine
- Israel thanks Eden Golan for 'giving the entire country strength'