Workers at Visy’s Wheeler St plant in Shepparton have walked off the job for the third time in three weeks over a pay dispute.
Around 40 Visy employees went on strike from 7am on Wednesday, February 1 and plan to only return to work at 7am on Friday.
They have set up a picket line outside the company’s warehouse on Doyles Rd in Shepparton.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union representative Danny Miller said the action is related to an ongoing dispute with the company over negotiations for a new enterprise bargaining agreement.
“At this stage, there’s no movement from the company,“ he said.
“Everyone’s holding firm on the industrial action for the whole of today and tomorrow and then and we’ll see.”
Mr Miller said Visy had offered workers a pay increase of eight per cent over three years, which he said, due to the rate of inflation, amounted to a pay cut.
“The company is basically saying eight per cent is all the company is able to manage, but when the company is underpinned by Anthony Pratt, one of the richest men in Australia…The company can do better,” he said.
“A better wages outcome would be that 10 or 11 per cent might cut the deal.”
Workers first walked off the job over the EBA negotiations for two days on January 18 and 19.
They walked off again for two days on January 25 and 27.
“There's no pay by doing what they’re doing standing out the front here not working, but members are showing unity and resolve to get a better deal,” Mr Miller said.
“It's disappointing Visy are not reaching out and genuinely want to try and do a better deal than what they've offered on the table.
“It's extremely disappointing and disheartening for everyone. Especially for the work that these workers gave, they gave their all during the COVID period to make sure they kept the can supplies up to the food manufacturers in the Goulburn Valley.”
Visy has been contacted for comment.