Striking workers accuse Visy of hiring replacements to break industrial action

Shepparton News
May 12, 2023


The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union has accused Visy of hiring new employees to cover Shepparton workers who have been taking industrial action against the company since January.   

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.

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:41pm:



It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well.


It's all about more for less.

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:55pm:


No, the bosses wanting more money by screwing the workers. 

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:55pm:



Who says the present workforce is unproductive or not doing their jobs?

You know full well that's not the case or reasoning behind this issue.

It's solely about the employer getting the work done for less ...... hiring non union workers(scabs) so they can pay less than the current EBA rates without worker protections from exploitation.

Going full steam down the US path ..... not surprising since most of the corporations/businesses are foreign owned.

Are you one of these types who believe people can give more than 100%?

You know the old- "he/she gives 110% everyday" types?

It's all just BS business speak(weasel words) for working longer hours for less money.

You're fluent in weasel words too aren't you FD?

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:41pm:


Because they are existing employees.

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 2:03pm:


Not once they are fired.

Quote:


You mean scabs ?

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:55pm:



You've certainly overdosed on cool aid.

Just think,  there were morons like you who were making the same argument to justify 10yr old kids working 12hr days down  mine shafts.