The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) led a series of strikes at Visy sites at O’Connor in WA, Dandenong in Victoria, Smithfield and Warwick Farm in NSW, and Carole Park in Queensland.

The union said up to 500 workers took part in the 24-hour strike, which began at 6am yesterday (29 November).

The strikes come as the union and Visy negotiate an enterprise bargaining agreement.

AMWU national secretary of the printing division Lorraine Cassin said: “Visy have tried everything in their power to whittle down the job security of our members and introduce a cheaper casual workforce across the country.”

“We have tried to engage and negotiate with them. Visy have closed the door on the negotiations. The workers have little alternative but to take strike action.

The union is seeking an agreement that includes staggered pay increases over the next three years, as well as a “comprehensive dispute resolution clause” and a “heat policy that protects workers during days of extreme heat”.

The union added that indefinite industrial action could occur if there is still an impasse in negotiations.

A Visy spokesperson told ProPrint: “Visy’s policy is to comment directly with its employees rather than through the media, so we’re not commenting at this stage.”

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