A six-week industrial dispute over a new enterprise agreement has been disrupting production at the Lemnos Campbell’s Soups factory.
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The factory processes vegetables for the Arnott’s company.
The company says the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union is asking for an 18 per cent wage increase over the next three years and a fifth week of annual leave.
The company claims stoppages have led to the wastage of 30 tonnes of raw food in the past week.
Shepparton plant lead Talitha Johnston said events demonstrated how challenging it was to maintain production when industrial action occurred during critical stages of the manufacturing process.
“Food manufacturing is highly interconnected, and when one part of the process is disrupted unexpectedly, it affects the teams, equipment and operations that follow,” she said.
"Nobody wants to see ongoing disruption. We’re committed to working constructively and in good faith with the union, under the guidance of the Fair Work Commission, to reach a fair and sustainable outcome.”
Ms Johnston said the company’s priority was supporting its people, maintaining safe operations and protecting the future of a site that supported local jobs, local suppliers and the broader Shepparton community.
“The union’s claim of 18 per cent over three years, along with a number of other costly claims, remains well beyond what the business can reasonably support. The longer this dispute continues, the greater the impact on our operations, our customers and the site's long-term sustainability,” she said.
The union was contacted for comment.
The Campbell’s Soups factory at Lemnos
Photo by
Daneka Hill
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