Striking Fletcher Insulation workers have clocked more than 90 days outside the gate of the Dandenong factory where they work. The workforce of 90 – members of the Australian Workers’ Union – have been out since 17 February.

They are fighting an aggressive attempt by the company to wind back pay and conditions at the site. When enterprise bargaining started, Fletcher came to the table offering a wage freeze, a longer working week, more casuals and a cut in redundancy entitlements.

The experienced workforce know exactly how profitable Fletcher Insulation’s operations are and were shocked by the vicious negotiating stance taken by the company. The vote to strike indefinitely was carried unanimously.

The protest presence outside the factory gates has held firm since. However, in April the company managed to bring scabs in from interstate to begin operating the plant.

Workers are currently considering a new offer which is an improvement on their position three months ago, but it is not yet clear that the company has conceded enough for the deal to be approved by a majority of strikers.