By Luke Voogt
Workers lifted their week-long blockade of Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery following an urgent hearing mediated by the Fair Work Commission on Tuesday morning 11 October.
Geelong refinery general manager Thys Heyns said the “unlawful action” could have seriously impacted Victoria’s fuel supplies.
Mr Heyns promoted Viva’s safety record and said the company had agreed to conduct a review with WorkSafe Victoria.
“As a major hazardous facility licenced by WorkSafe we already operate under a strict safety regime that is regularly audited by independent third parties,” he said.
Viva Energy is spending $350 million transforming the refinery into an “internationally competitive operation” for the “hundreds of workers who depend on it,” Mr Heyns said.
He thanked the employees, customers and community members who supported the company through the “challenging and uncertain period”.
Australian Workers Union (AWU) Victorian Secretary Ben Davis described the resolution as an “important victory” for the employees.
Mr Davis said the unions would join the company and Worksafe in their audit of the site.
“It’s an opportunity to change the safety culture onsite and more broadly across Viva.”
Mr Davis denied Viva’s earlier claims that the blockade was about “terms and conditions”.
“Safety was our primary concern – among other things,” he said.
“There’s been a number of incidents on site and a number of injuries.”
Mr Davis dismissed Viva’s claims the blockade was unlawful, despite the company obtaining an injunction to end it.
“There’s been no finding at law either way,” he said.
“None of that changes people’s legitimate right to protest.”
Mr Davis said the workers drove the blockade, not the unions.
“It was the workers that voted to go on strike,” he said.
“But of course we support the members in whatever they do.”
Mr Davis acknowledged the blockade had cost the company millions and delayed works to secure the refinery’s future.
“But they could have avoided it all it all if they had listened to their workers’ safety concerns,” he said.
