Dumped Chinese Glass Pushes Industry to Brink

The Australian Workers' Union visited Viridian in Greens Road, Dandenong South, last Tuesday as part of its campaign against Chinese exportation of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of cheap Chinese glass to Australia, a practice known as dumping.

The AWU believes the imports - which cost less than glass manufactured in Australia - breach the World Trade Organisation's free trade rules and put Australia's glass industry at risk.

Viridian senior site delegate Dennis Bradford said that about 30 years ago, the glass manufacturer struggled to keep up with high demand. Now, it's a different story.

"People used to line up for our glass. Now we can't get them - we're losing our market share."

About 70 Viridian employees stopped work last Tuesday to hear from AWU national secretary Paul Howes.

"If we lose companies like Viridian they won't come back," Mr Howes told them. "China is breaking the level playing field we were promised in the free trade agenda.

"Why is it that Europe, the USA and Canada are kicking up a stink but our politicians don't seem to care? Some politicians say it's just the reality of free trade, but we say it's cheating free trade."

Mr Howes said the AWU was calling on the federal government to change its policy on illegal dumping. Viridian workers signed postcards last Tuesday which will be to be sent to members of parliament, calling for their help.

"In Australia, the laws are worth nothing because they don't work," Mr Howes said.

"We believe it's time for the federal government to recognise the anti-dumping laws are broken and need to be fixed. If Labor truly is a party for workers, they should make the change."

A national round table on dumping will be held this week, which is expected to include senators Nick Xenophon and Bob Katter. Viridian general manager Steve Choat is also expected to attend.

"We need to explain to [politicians] what will happen if we lose places like Viridian in Dandenong," Mr Howes said.