Striking workers accuse Visy of hiring replacements to break industrial action

Shepparton News
May 12, 2023


The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union has accused Visy of hiring new employees to cover Shepparton workers who have been taking industrial action against the company since January.   :(

The AMWU members employed at Visy’s Wheeler St plant in Shepparton have refused a pay offer of 8.75 per cent over three years in a proposed new enterprise bargaining agreement, saying it amounts to an effective pay cut.

The inflation rate for the first quarter of the year was seven per cent, but that is expected to fall over the next 12 months.



Union spokesman Danny Miller said Visy was spending money on new workers to cover staff they could get back to work if they provided them with a better pay offer.

“They’re basically saying we’re going to replace the whole workforce, which commenced on Monday (May 8),” he said.

“They’ve put on seven new workers Monday this week unbeknown to those particular individuals that there is an ongoing pay dispute with the company.

“I think it’s morally and ethically wrong.”

Mr Miller said the industrial action had been going on for 18 weeks and involved 35 workers, who were only working two shifts per week out of five, meaning a vast reduction in their take-home pay.

“Nearly all members have family of some description,” he said.

Mr Miller said the workers protested again outside Visy’s Wheeler St plant on Friday, May 12 in an attempt to shake the company back into talks.

“We’re hoping that today will force the company back to the table and negotiate, that’s what we want,” he said.

“We’ve tried different ways to slice up the wage increase. The company has flatly said ‘no’.”

Visy has been contacted many times by the News in recent months for a comment on the industrial action without any response being offered.

Visy has again been contacted for this story.

If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is?

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:41pm:

If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is?

It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well.


It's all about more for less.

Gnads wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:49pm:

freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well. It's all about more for less.

What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work?

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:55pm:

What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work?

No, the bosses wanting more money by screwing the workers. 

Why should the job not go to whoever presents the best value proposition to the company owner?

If employees are allowed to shop around for the best job they can get, why should employers not be able to do the same?

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:55pm:

Gnads wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:49pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well. It's all about more for less. What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work?

Who says the present workforce is unproductive or not doing their jobs?

You know full well that's not the case or reasoning behind this issue.

It's solely about the employer getting the work done for less ...... hiring non union workers(scabs) so they can pay less than the current EBA rates without worker protections from exploitation.

Going full steam down the US path ..... not surprising since most of the corporations/businesses are foreign owned.

Are you one of these types who believe people can give more than 100%?

You know the old- "he/she gives 110% everyday" types?

It's all just BS business speak(weasel words) for working longer hours for less money.

You're fluent in weasel words too aren't you FD?

Quote:

Who says the present workforce is unproductive or not doing their jobs?

They are obviously less productive than the people they want to hire to replace them.

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:41pm:

If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is?

Because they are existing employees.

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 1:50pm:

Quote: Who says the present workforce is unproductive or not doing their jobs? They are obviously less productive than the people they want to hire to replace them.

Oh, I dunno - it takes a good while to bring new people up to speed.......

Sir Grappler Truth Teller OAM wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 2:03pm:

freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? Because they are existing employees.

Not once they are fired.

Is a cat a critter, FD?

Instead of Cats and [other?] Critters what about Critters and Gardens?

Quote:

Hiring New Workers To Break Industrial Action

You mean scabs ?

Private enterprise destroyed working conditions.
Those doing the work get screwed while those investing reap the rewards.
The ceo sits in his million dollar home, wiping his arse with $100 bills, while the workers live out if the back of their cars.
It's the American dream.

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 12:55pm:

Gnads wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:49pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well. It's all about more for less. What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work?

You've certainly overdosed on cool aid.

Just think,  there were morons like you who were making the same argument to justify 10yr old kids working 12hr days down  mine shafts.

John Smith wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 6:40pm:

freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:55pm: Gnads wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:49pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well. It's all about more for less. What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work? You've certainly overdosed on cool aid. Just think,  there were morons like you who were making the same argument to justify 10yr old kids working 12hr days down  mine shafts.

US republican states are introducing legislation in this direction now.

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 1:16pm:

Why should the job not go to whoever presents the best value proposition to the company owner? If employees are allowed to shop around for the best job they can get, why should employers not be able to do the same?

Well said FreeDiver.
This isn't America - where the workers work for very low wages and tips as their bonus from customers, etc.

Here in Australia - where the Worker is Right, not the Customer and the Worker gets one of the highest wages in the world. The Unions are basically scuttling Industry and Businesses, let alone an Enterprising Economy.

America: Underpaid
Australia: Overpaid

Me thinks the real 'Scabs' are the Unionists.

Jasin wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 7:18pm:

freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 1:16pm: Why should the job not go to whoever presents the best value proposition to the company owner? If employees are allowed to shop around for the best job they can get, why should employers not be able to do the same? Well said FreeDiver. This isn't America - where the workers work for very low wages and tips as their bonus from customers, etc. Here in Australia - where the Worker is Right, not the Customer and the Worker gets one of the highest wages in the world. The Unions are basically scuttling Industry and Businesses, let alone an Enterprising Economy. America: Underpaid Australia: Overpaid Me thinks the real 'Scabs' are the Unionists.

Deflection would be my guess.

John Smith wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 6:40pm:

freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:55pm: Gnads wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:49pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well. It's all about more for less. What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work? You've certainly overdosed on cool aid. Just think,  there were morons like you who were making the same argument to justify 10yr old kids working 12hr days down  mine shafts.

If the alternative is them starving to death, I am all for it.

freediver wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 8:08pm:

John Smith wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 6:40pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:55pm: Gnads wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:49pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well. It's all about more for less. What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work? You've certainly overdosed on cool aid. Just think,  there were morons like you who were making the same argument to justify 10yr old kids working 12hr days down  mine shafts. If the alternative is them starving to death, I am all for it.

I never doubted it.

Let me guess, you would have them starve to death, just to stick it to the man?

Moa thought the same way. He starved 50 million of his own citizens to death.

Just think of Non-Union Workers as 'immigration' to help boost the population growth and gene pool variation and versitility.  ;)

Jasin wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 6:52am:

Just think of Non-Union Workers as 'immigration' to help boost the population growth and gene pool variation and versitility.  ;)

In that case first thing is that they would join the union.

People employed to underme industrial action are scabs. nothing else.

The only 'scab' in this part of the world is the 'Union'

John would you starve your own children to death, or would you only do that to other people's children?

freediver wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 6:06am:

Let me guess, you would have them starve to death, just to stick it to the man? Moa thought the same way. He starved 50 million of his own citizens to death.

No I would have given them a bowl of food rather than try to take advantage of kids

John Smith wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 5:32pm:

freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 6:06am: Let me guess, you would have them starve to death, just to stick it to the man? Moa thought the same way. He starved 50 million of his own citizens to death. No I would have given them a bowl of food rather than try to take advantage of kids

So if the choice was working 12 hours a day in a mine or starving to death, you would choose a free handout?

freediver wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 5:43pm:

John Smith wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 5:32pm: freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 6:06am: Let me guess, you would have them starve to death, just to stick it to the man? Moa thought the same way. He starved 50 million of his own citizens to death. No I would have given them a bowl of food rather than try to take advantage of kids So if the choice was working 12 hours a day in a mine or starving to death, you would choose a free handout?

Why is it that every time the choice is that you'd say something remotely intelligent or you say something stupid, you opt for stupid? Every Single Time.

John Smith wrote on May 14^th, 2023 at 10:13pm:

freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 8:08pm: John Smith wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 6:40pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:55pm: Gnads wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:49pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well. It's all about more for less. What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work? You've certainly overdosed on cool aid. Just think,  there were morons like you who were making the same argument to justify 10yr old kids working 12hr days down  mine shafts. If the alternative is them starving to death, I am all for it. I never doubted it.

What would you choose John? Denying reality?

NASA was going to have a launch site at Weipa in Queensland.
Heaps of highly skilled jobs for many.
The Unions put a stop to that.
Thanks Unions.  ::)

freediver wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 6:13pm:

John Smith wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 10:13pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 8:08pm: John Smith wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 6:40pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:55pm: Gnads wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:49pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well. It's all about more for less. What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work? You've certainly overdosed on cool aid. Just think,  there were morons like you who were making the same argument to justify 10yr old kids working 12hr days down  mine shafts. If the alternative is them starving to death, I am all for it. I never doubted it. What would you choose John? Denying reality?

You're no different to the slave owners who pretended they were looking after the slaves, giving them food and lodging so they wouldn't go without.  :D :D

John Smith wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 6:17pm:

freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 6:13pm: John Smith wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 10:13pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 8:08pm: John Smith wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 6:40pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:55pm: Gnads wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:49pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well. It's all about more for less. What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work? You've certainly overdosed on cool aid. Just think,  there were morons like you who were making the same argument to justify 10yr old kids working 12hr days down  mine shafts. If the alternative is them starving to death, I am all for it. I never doubted it. What would you choose John? Denying reality? You're no different to the slave owners who pretended they were looking after the slaves, giving them food and lodging so they wouldn't go without.  :D :D

So that's a yes to denying reality?

freediver wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 6:25pm:

John Smith wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 6:17pm: freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 6:13pm: John Smith wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 10:13pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 8:08pm: John Smith wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 6:40pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:55pm: Gnads wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:49pm: freediver wrote on May 14th, 2023 at 12:41pm: If the existing employees are not prepared to do their job, why shouldn't they hire someone who is? It's never that simplistic FD .... & you know that very well. It's all about more for less. What are you talking about? The unionists wanting more money for doing less work? You've certainly overdosed on cool aid. Just think,  there were morons like you who were making the same argument to justify 10yr old kids working 12hr days down  mine shafts. If the alternative is them starving to death, I am all for it. I never doubted it. What would you choose John? Denying reality? You're no different to the slave owners who pretended they were looking after the slaves, giving them food and lodging so they wouldn't go without.  :D :D So that's a yes to denying reality?

You wouldn't know reality if it hit you in the face. You're to stuck in your little outdated economics books

freediver wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 5:43pm:

John Smith wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 5:32pm: freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 6:06am: Let me guess, you would have them starve to death, just to stick it to the man? Moa thought the same way. He starved 50 million of his own citizens to death. No I would have given them a bowl of food rather than try to take advantage of kids So if the choice was working 12 hours a day in a mine or starving to death, you would choose a free handout?

You don't kill kids just to get cheap employment.

Dnarever wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 6:59pm:

freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 5:43pm: John Smith wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 5:32pm: freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 6:06am: Let me guess, you would have them starve to death, just to stick it to the man? Moa thought the same way. He starved 50 million of his own citizens to death. No I would have given them a bowl of food rather than try to take advantage of kids So if the choice was working 12 hours a day in a mine or starving to death, you would choose a free handout? You don't kill kids just to get cheap employment.

FD does

Dnarever wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 6:59pm:

freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 5:43pm: John Smith wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 5:32pm: freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 6:06am: Let me guess, you would have them starve to death, just to stick it to the man? Moa thought the same way. He starved 50 million of his own citizens to death. No I would have given them a bowl of food rather than try to take advantage of kids So if the choice was working 12 hours a day in a mine or starving to death, you would choose a free handout? You don't kill kids just to get cheap employment.

No. But John would rather starve them to death than allow cheap employment. It just the sort of denial of reality that saw 50 million chinese starved to death last century, by a government that was trying to help them.

Are you also afraid to give a straight answer?

Are cats critters, FD? Or are they angels or demons or . . . .?

freediver wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 7:57pm:

Dnarever wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 6:59pm: freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 5:43pm: John Smith wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 5:32pm: freediver wrote on May 15th, 2023 at 6:06am: Let me guess, you would have them starve to death, just to stick it to the man? Moa thought the same way. He starved 50 million of his own citizens to death. No I would have given them a bowl of food rather than try to take advantage of kids So if the choice was working 12 hours a day in a mine or starving to death, you would choose a free handout? You don't kill kids just to get cheap employment. No. But John would rather starve them to death than allow cheap employment. It just the sort of denial of reality that saw 50 million chinese starved to death last century, by a government that was trying to help them. Are you also afraid to give a straight answer?

Quote:

But John would rather starve them to death than allow cheap employment.

You do know that this isn't right. It's just the words you put into his keyboard.

Kids don't starve in Australia if they don't work in a mine.

It's not really a straw man more of a straw clown.

So you are afraid to give a straight answer also?

If it was a choice between kids starving to death and kids working in a mine, which would you choose, you capitalist swine?

freediver wrote on May 15^th, 2023 at 9:32pm:

So you are afraid to give a straight answer also? If it was a choice between kids starving to death and kids working in a mine, which would you choose, you capitalist swine?

In Australia we don't have either - it isn't a real question just a Straw Clown.

There are places in the world where both are real and children have to work in mines but it does not relate to this topic.

This topic is about employing scabs to break industrial negotiations.