WORKERS at the paper company that helped distribute the marriage law survey have walked off the job amid a dispute over pay and working conditions.

Almost 90 staff at Australian Paper’s Preston factory stopped work on Tuesday and formed a picket line.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union said the company was seeking to undermine workers during negotiations over a new enterprise bargaining agreement.

The company, whose clients include ANZ, Westpac and various government departments, employs more than 1000 people.

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It was one of the main suppliers of envelopes during last year’s federal marriage law postal survey.

AMWU organiser Dean Griffiths said workers were seeking modest wage increases of 2.5 per cent over three years.

media_camera Paper workers have walked off the job in Preston after negotiations for a new workplace agreement broke down. Picture: Rob Leeson

“These aren’t the highest paid workers around — if we’re out (on strike) for a week, the loss of production could have paid for the whole wage increase,” he said.

Mr Griffiths criticised the company’s attempt to reduce rostered days off and change employee classifications, which he said would leave workers worse off.

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Company spokesman Craig Dunn would not comment on the union’s allegations but was confident an agreement would be reached.

“We’re committed to reaching an agreement that represents the best outcome for the company and for our employees at Preston,” he said.

And despite the vast majority of staff being on strike, Mr Dunn said orders would be filled.

“We have measures in place to enable us to meet the needs of our customers during this phase of the discussions,” he said.

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Australian Paper was founded Melbourne in 1868.

Japanese conglomerate Nippon Paper Group bought the company in 2009.

The company has struggled amid declining paper sales, which it blamed for the 2015 decision to shut a NSW factory and shed 75 jobs.

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Margaret Peacock has worked at the Preston plant for 33 years.

Despite a shrinking industry and the threat posed by automation, Ms Peacock said she still enjoyed her work.

“The people make the place … most of us have been here at least 10, 15 years — it’s like a family,” she said.

Ms Peacock, who has watched machines take over tasks she used to do herself, remains optimistic about the future of paper.

“People still use envelopes and I don’t see that changing over the next ten years,” she said.

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The veteran employee has seen more than a few strikes and said this latest protest tapped into a general malaise among workers.

“People have put a lot of loyalty into this factory. We do 110 per cent work for the money we get and we feel like we’re unappreciated,” she said.

ed.gardiner@news.com.au

@edjgardiner