After seven months of fruitless negotiation, CFMEU Pulp and Paper Workers’ District members at Huhtamaki finally said “enough” and embarked on a five day strike to support their claim for better wages and conditions.
This action was brought about by Huhtamaki management’s claims of financial hardship and refusal to make a reasonable wage offer to workers.
Under the Fair Bargaining provisions of the new Fair Work Act, the union has an opportunity to request an inspection of the company books. We have made this request on numerous occasions so that members can judge the state of the company’s financial situation for themselves.
However Huhtamaki’s management has so far refused to open the books.
On Friday 26 March, four days into their strike, Huhtamaki members on the picket line voted unanimously to undertake further industrial action unless the company provides the Union with an opportunity to review
its financial situation or makes a satisfactory offer on wages and conditions.
PPW District Federal Secretary Alex Millar said; “Members have indicated they will do whatever it takes to win an acceptable outcome. They don’t want the world, they just what what’s fair and reasonable”.
CFMEU members will be keeping an eye on the proceedings and updates will be provided.
