Workers who took pay cuts to keep their paper and packaging mill alive have been locked out of the job in an increasingly tense pay dispute. Opal said the loss of wood supply from VicForests and the end of white paper manufacturing had severely impacted the mill’s operations. The CFMEU’s manufacturing branch says this will mean more work for less pay, due to understaffing and the need for recognised overtime. Maryvale had produced stationary and office supplies for the previous 85 years. Maryvale branch secretary Anthony Pavey told AAP. Quality technician Hayley Langstaff, an 18-year veteran at the mill, said she felt let down by the lockout. The shift from white paper led to about 200 redundancies in 2024 and came after eight years of pay cuts, wage freezes and reclassifications workers had accepted to keep the mill afloat. About 100 contract workers employed at the mill have also been stood down during the lockouts, according to the union. Industry, manufacturing and mining jobs in the Latrobe Valley have faced a death by a thousand cuts in recent years, following Hazelwood power station’s closure in 2017, last year’s ban on native forestry and the ongoing transition away from coal energy. Negotiations hit a standstill over Opal’s plans to extend ordinary work week hours from 35 to 38 in a rolling roster that would include weekend work. Opal’s response is also protected under the Fair Work Act. A spokesman for Opal, owned by Japanese multinational Nippon, said the company’s hand had been forced. It’s the mill’s first enterprise bargaining process since the native logging ban was enacted, a change that quickened Opal’s transition from white paper production into brown paper and packaging last year. Instead of taking on new full-time employees, Opal was covering extra jobs with overtime, he said. Opal Australian Paper indefinitely stood-down more than 300 workers without pay from the Latrobe Valley’s Maryvale mill after seven production staff took a protected six-hour stoppage earlier in January.
Sterling Silver Baby Gifts
If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver.
The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash.
The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. So she decided to make her own. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.