Australia's richest man Anthony Pratt's company is suing almost 70 workers in his packaging empire over claims of unlawful industrial action.
The billionaire businessman was named as Australia's wealthiest person in this year's Financial Review Rich List and is the chief executive of cardboard box and recycling giant Visy, which is also suing the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union.
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Behind the scenes Financial Review Rich List cover
How Nic Walker's playful cover shoot for the Financial Review Rich List with Anthony Pratt was made.
Mr Pratt has an estimated $12.6 billion fortune.
Visy is taking 69 workers to federal court for fines and compensation over alleged unlawful industrial action last month at a Victorian site.
Lawyers for the company claim a dispute over a new alcohol and drug policy led to workers refusing to perform overtime for a number of days in July, despite the policy being approved by the company's occupational health and safety committee.
Visy says it stood aside two delegates pending disciplinary proceedings last month, which it alleges led to a mass meeting and about half the workforce taking strike action on July 25.
At a previous related Fair Work Commission hearing, AMWU officer Barry Terzic said the dispute centred around the treatment of two shop stewards whose conduct was being investigated by Visy.
He said while the union was not contesting Visy's application, it would reserve its right to object to evidence in further proceedings.
Visy's general manager for Australia and New Zealand, Ian Harmer, told the hearing he was asked by AMWU industrial officer Katrina Ford if he appreciated "what would occur if we took a position on those two delegates".
Mr Harmer said he understood that meant there could be further industrial action if the company made an unfavourable decision on the two workers.
Visy said the industrial action was not protected by an enterprise agreement that expires in 2019.
At a federal court hearing on Wednesday, Justice Richard Tracey issued an order requiring Visy Board Pty Ltd to serve a statement of claim by mid-September and for the union's officials and workers to file a defence by October.
Visy is seeking penalties against the respondents and compensation for lossess it has suffered.
The case will go to mediation before proceeding to a hearing.