Wodonga workers rely on kindness of printers

Print managers from around Australia and staff who have returned to work at Paragon Printing have pitched in to lend a hand to those affected by the troubled business.

After an on-going stand-down and worker’s strike, 108 employees have now returned to work for a three-week period while administrators negotiate the potential sale of the Wodonga-based business, which entered voluntary administration earlier this month.

As a sign of support, print managers PMA Solutions, Adelaide Business Forms and Ebisprint pledged $15,000 to help the Paragon workers. Natasha Ankus, national business service manager, hopes that other industry companies  will join in the cause.

 “As independent print managers, we have been following the story of Paragon Printing and were concerned for the workers.  We understand there are a number of staff who have been working with this company for decades, who have been affected and being in the same industry, we feel obligated to help them,” she said.

“The directors of PMA Solutions, Ebisprint and Adelaide Business Forms have also been in the print industry for decades, and they hope this will spur others in the industry to donate.”

According to Leigh Diehm, north-east regional organiser for the Victorian Branch of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, these three companies are not the only ones to part with their money.

“Our members who have returned to work have decided to donate $10 out of their weekly wages to those employees who are still stood down,” he said. “This is really boosting members’ confidence.”

Diehm said that 16 AMWU members are still being stood-down and that he hopes they can soon return to work. “It’s a waiting game, but we are hoping that someone purchases the company so that we can move forward,” he said.

“Not all of the presses are running; it’s a limited start-up so that the business can be sold as a going concern.”

Centrelink today held an information day for staff at Paragon Printing to advise them of their options and help them deal with financial management. Diehm added that another seminar is likely to take place next week.

Those interested in making a contribution to the fund can contact Natasha Ankus of PMA Solutions on (02) 9629 0800.