Visy Packaging
Dylan WIGHT (Tarneit) (16:51): Some weeks ago I rose in this place in support of workers at Visy Packaging in Shepparton who were undertaking industrial action at the time in search of a better pay deal from their employer. It gives me great joy this afternoon to update the house that after some 25 weeks of industrial action the Visy Shepparton dispute has come to an end, with the workers there accepting an enhanced package from the company. These members would like to take a moment to express their heartfelt thanks to everybody who supported them and their families through what was an incredibly difficult time. Taking industrial action and indeed withdrawing labour is something that is always incredibly difficult, both emotionally and financially, particularly in today’s tricky economic times. According to the workers, had it not been for the financial support and well wishes received, they certainly would not have got the result which they did. There are far too many to thank individually, but a special thanks to all those workers and workplaces who ran fundraisers and donated to Visy workers along the way. Also a special shout-out to the AMWU Victorian branch’s Tony Piccolo and Tony Mavromatis. Go Blues! The lid is off.