Visy Packaging
Paul EDBROOKE (Frankston) (10:06): I cannot believe we are still here raising this same issue: workers from Visy’s Wheeler Street plant in Shep are still out in the grass, having refused a pay offer of 8.75 per cent over three years, which is really an effective pay cut to those workers. For 20 weeks Visy has tried to break these workers at the Fair Work Commission. They have even made personalised attacks against these workers, but these AMWU members still stand stronger than ever. Visy management refused to bargain for months, and yet Visy is Australia’s largest privately owned company, with an annual turnover of $7 billion. Its owner Anthony Pratt is Australia’s third-richest person, sitting on an estimated $14 billion. But in a ludicrous turn of events, Visy are spending their money on new workers to cover staff they could get back to work if they provided the staff they have got with a better pay offer. AMWU members who worked during the pandemic, who remained working to keep Victorians safe, are not receiving any pay whilst they are on strike against this corporate giant. Visy are effectively replacing a whole striking workforce. Cruel strategies do not belong in our IR system, especially not in Victoria. These were essential workers during the pandemic. My message to the Visy management is to live their motto: ‘Visy: for a better world’. Do the right thing, find your spine and respect these gutsy workers by returning to the bargaining table and paying them what they deserve.