Parmalat: Sixty workers locked out of Echuca dairy processing plant over workplace dispute
Updated
Sixty workers have been locked out of the Parmalat dairy processing plant at Echuca in northern Victoria because of an unresolved enterprise bargaining dispute.
Workers were handed lockout notices this morning as the company and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) continue to negotiate.
The union said the company was trying to cut the wages and conditions of its workforce.
Union secretary Tom Hale said the lockout of production and maintenance staff was in retaliation for a four-hour strike that was planned.
"I think it's very heavy handed," he said.
"The company's reaction on this occasion is, I think, they're out to pick a fight."
"The members have said we still want a fair agreement, we want to maintain our wages and conditions and we want to maintain permanent, full-time jobs."
Mr Hale said the union had met with the company 13 times to negotiate an agreement since mid last year.
Plant closed 'indefinitely' until dispute resolved
A Parmalat spokeswoman said the site had been closed until the dispute was resolved.
"Parmalat is disappointed the AMWU and CEPU has decided to commence industrial action in light of the six months of good faith negotiations which Parmalat has participated in to date," she said in a statement.
"As a result, we have had to make the tough decision to close the site indefinitely."
The company said it had made plans to ensure no customers were affected by the industrial action.
The processing plant makes yoghurts and dairy desserts.
"We believe the current offer is fair and reasonable and we are committed and ready to further discuss the benefits of the packaged offer in order to reach a resolution." she said.
Mr Hale said the union would seek to meet with the company to find a resolution.
Parmalat Australia took over the business last year after it was sold by dairy processor Fonterra.
Topics: dairy-production, unions, echuca-3564
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