The AMWU is fighting for Visy worker, George Kyridis after he was sacked because a work-related injury prevented him from undertaking normal duties.

Mr Kyridis, who has worked for Visy for nine years, has worked in a range of duties continuously since injuring his knee in 2003, taking time off only for operations and recovery.

In January, the company demanded Mr Kyridis return to normal duties despite ongoing problems with his knee including recommendations that he undergo another operation.

He was sacked as a result of his inability to undertake normal duties.

AMWU organiser ,Tony Mavromatis, said the company has been intransigent in its position, refusing to discuss alternative arrangements for Mr Kyridis.

“We have been to the Commission, the Commission ordered us to talk and we have done so in good faith, but the company is not being cooperative.

“We went back to the Commission and Visy simply refused to show up. Under the laws, there’s nothing we can do.”

Mr Mavromatis said that other workers at the site are ‘disgusted’ with what’s happened to Mr Kyridis and are concerned that they will be treated in the same way.

“George has been a hard working cooperative bloke and his workmates know that.”

The AMWU has organised a protest outside the site in Coburg, Victoria and further activities in support of Mr Kyridis are planned.

Visy Industries is owned by billionaire Richard Pratt who made the headlines earlier this week for handing back his Order of Australia honours.

Mr Pratt was fined $36 million in the Federal Court last year over price fixing deals in the cardboard box industry with competitor Amcor.

The new Labor Government is set to introduce legislation to re-instate unfair dismissal protections, though the position of the Liberal Party, which still controls the Senate and has delayed Labor’s scrapping of AWAs, has not been made clear.

AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver, said that the Liberal Party should accept the vote of the Australian people and pass the laws as soon as possible.