The AMWU members employed at Visy’s Wheeler St plant in Shepparton have refused a pay offer of 8.75 per cent over three years in a proposed new enterprise bargaining agreement, saying it amounts to an effective pay cut.
The inflation rate for the first quarter of the year was seven per cent, but that is expected to fall over the next 12 months.
Union spokesman Danny Miller said Visy was spending money on new workers to cover staff they could get back to work if they provided them with a better pay offer.
“They’re basically saying we’re going to replace the whole workforce, which commenced on Monday (May 8),” he said.
“They’ve put on seven new workers Monday this week unbeknown to those particular individuals that there is an ongoing pay dispute with the company.
“I think it’s morally and ethically wrong.”
Mr Miller said the industrial action had been going on for 18 weeks and involved 35 workers, who were only working two shifts per week out of five, meaning a vast reduction in their take-home pay.
“Nearly all members have family of some description,” he said.
Mr Miller said the workers protested again outside Visy’s Wheeler St plant on Friday, May 12 in an attempt to shake the company back into talks.
“We’re hoping that today will force the company back to the table and negotiate, that’s what we want,” he said.
“We’ve tried different ways to slice up the wage increase. The company has flatly said ‘no’.”
Visy has been contacted many times by the News in recent months for a comment on the industrial action without any response being offered.
Visy has again been contacted for this story.
