AMWU members working in production and maintenance at frozen food manufacturer, McCain, have voted unanimously to take united industrial action - derailing a company move to divide workers on a new workplace agreement. 

AMWU regional organiser, Angela McCarthy, said the vote, taken at a mass meeting Wednesday lunchtime, was an important step in the fight for a wage rise above inflation at the Ballarat factory in western Victoria.

“I hope they (McCain management) come back and discuss our claims sensibly. Throughout this whole negotiation period they have only moved on claims when there has been pending industrial action.

“When we haven’t had actions in place and ready to go we have gone nowhere with our claims. We’ve been trying to engage McCain in talks since the 10th of May and they have basically dodged all meetings and negotiations until two days before the agreement expired (the 28th of June).”

Ms McCarthy said workers had agreed to drop a claim for a 36-hour working week in return for a wage rise of 5% - an offer rejected by McCain whose original wage offer came in at 3%.

Earlier this week, the company announced it would stand down food production workers without pay, after maintenance workers began industrial action.

McCain workers believe the stand downs were designed to divide the workforce.

However AMWU delegate, Tim Vincent, said the members had since resolved to unite together with joint protected industrial action next week.   

“The vote for joint action sends a loud and clear message to the company that we’re going to fight together and we’re going to get a result.”

He said workers were angry the company wanted to suspend a wage rise in their latest workplace offer – the second time in less than two years.

“18 months ago we took it in good grace (3% wage rise) with the GFC happening, with the verbal understanding that when things pick up – which they have – that we don’t be going down the three percent path again.

“Well, we’re not going to cop it again.”

Mr Vincent said the protected industrial action beginning next Tuesday, would consist of three consecutive 24-hour work stoppages.

“They’ve tried to put a wedge between the foodies and the maintenance workers. Today’s vote sends a message that we’re all under the same banner we’re all going to fight together. United we stand.”