Australian Paper mill workers united in the Morwell central business district on Tuesday in their latest attempt to convince the Federal Government to buy locally made paper.
Coming as part of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union’s ‘Let’s Spread It Around’ campaign, two billboards were erected along Princes Drive in protest of the Commonwealth’s recent decisions to award copy paper procurement contracts to Asian importers.
“The Commonwealth Government is the biggest purchaser of paper products in the country, but their broken procurement policies currently mean quality Australian products are often being replaced with inferior overseas paper, sometimes sourced from companies with a history of environmental and labour abuses,” CFMEU pulp and paper workers district federal secretary Alex Millar said.
Fourth generation Maryvale Mill worker Chris Robertson of Traralgon (third from left) said government procurement policies were placing avoidable strain on Latrobe Valley job prospects. Mill workers and family pictured: Anthony Pavey, Ian Moule, Chris Robertson, Alby Robertson (baby), Jack Robertson, Frank Metcalf, Tyler Sleeth (little boy), Louise Legg, Robert Legg, and Tim Allan.
