Members from packaging company Amcor in Thomastown, Victoria, will enter their third week of industrial action next week as they fight to improve redundancy provisions.

Site delegate, Joe Astorino, said despite the protracted negotiations with management morale remained high as the plant’s workers remained united by a single goal.

“There are redundancies coming up next year. Our members want protection for their entitlements and to not see them diminished. We want to receive a better redundancy package.

“On average most of us have been here for over ten years. That service should be acknowledge and rewarded. In comparative terms there are other sites that receive better redundancy entitlements. Our members want to be inline with them.”

Amcor fibre packaging sites elsewhere in Victoria offer workers redundancy packages of four weeks pay per year of service with no cap and no forced redundancies.

The industrial action unanimously supported by all members in the manufacturing, maintenance and warehousing sections has brought the busy plant to a halt.

“This hasn’t been taken lightly, it’s out of necessity – with the redundancies next year there are fairly decent threats to the business. Our members want to protect themselves should they be asked to leave in future.”

AMWU Victoria organiser, Paul Konaris, said the members were also seeking other important provisions including a paid delegate training day, sign on bonus and back pay.
 
Mr Konaris said the plant, which manufactures caps and lids for major food and beverage clients including Carlton United Breweries, Coca Cola and Kraft, could not afford to drag out negotiations any further.

“We’re hopeful of an outcome soon but there are a number of outstanding issues that need to be addressed.”