Hundreds of paper mill workers fear they’ll be stood down just after Christmas

Hundreds of jobs are on the line at a La Trobe paper manufacturer.

With restrictions on VicForests’ operations causing a supply shortage, up to 200 workers at the Maryville Paper Mill fear they could be stood down just after Christmas.

CFMEU Manufacturing Division Organiser at Maryvale, Anthony Pavey, says workers are in limbo.

“They have … said it will be mid-January before a decision is made but we believe they’re in discussions with the government to transition out of the white side of the business due to the impact and amount of timber required that will no longer be supplied by VicForests,” he told Heidi Murphy, filling in for Tom Elliott.

“These people are going to be stood down just the other side of Christmas with the high possibility of absolutely no pay until a decision is made on what’s going on. We want government support to ensure those workers are paid during the period of uncertainty.”

Press PLAY below to hear what the CFMEU is calling for