Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Visy Packaging

Dylan WIGHT (Tarneit) (14:29): In my inaugural speech I promised to support manufacturing in this state, and I recalled my dad’s advice to never, ever cross a picket line. Today I acknowledge the ongoing struggle of workers at Visy Packaging in Shepparton, who have been bargaining for a better pay deal for nearly a year. These workers have been holding firm in taking industrial action for the last 19 weeks, and they are doing it tough. Visy has started a campaign of personal attacks, unpaid entitlements and bringing in labour to break the strike. With corporate greed driving up the cost of living, these workers’ wages have gone backwards. Instead of recognising the sacrifice that these workers made during the pandemic by keeping food on our shelves, the workers are being penalised for standing up for their rights. When CPI was low, Visy asked these workers to accept small pay rises. Since the last pay rise on 1 July 2021, CPI has already gone up by 12 per cent. Now these workers are seeking a pay rise in line with that 12 per cent over the next three years. In response Visy has insulted these workers by offering a paltry 8.75 per cent over the next three years while raking in $7 billion in profit per year. We know corporate greed is driving up the cost of living, so these workers have no choice but to stand together and fight for a decent living. Visy must resume bargaining, respect the right to strike and give these workers the pay rise they deserve.