Lorraine Cassin, national print division secretary at the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, told ProPrint the union had “major concerns about job security. Our members are very concerned about what it means for their future.”

Cassin noted Amcor had sacked workers after acquiring Carter Holt Harvey’s Smithfield plant in 2011.

Amcor told ProPrint the company would not comment until the Aperio deal received regulatory approval. The ACCC is due to make a final decision on 29 March.

Uncertainty about the deal has left Aperio’s workers in a state of limbo, according to Cassin. She said there would be no point speaking to Aperio about their future but Amcor had refused to enter talks until the takeover was approved.

Cassin wouldn’t speculate on how many of Aperio’s 550 Australian employees are at risk. However, she said the union was “highly organised in Aperio” and wanted to urgently meet with Amcor if the deal was approved.

The union has made a submission to the ACCC opposing the takeover on the grounds it would reduce competition.

Cassin told ProPrint some local packaging companies may be forced offshore if Amcor was allowed to increase its market share.

The takeover would give Amcor control of 12 manufacturing sites in Australia and New Zealand and one in Thailand.

Amcor said it would “deliver significant benefits to customers… in terms of scale, efficiency, innovation and security of supply” and increase Asia-Pacific turnover to $1.2 billion.

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