VIC mill workers face fines failing to volunteer on Xmas

Their union is now seeking legal advice in an effort to keep the men at home so they can enjoy the day with the families.

Fair Work Australia has ruled that it would be regarded as an illegal strike if workers failed to work on Christmas Day and Boxing Day at the Maryvale Mill in Gippsland East which is run by Australian Paper.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union secretary Alex Millar said the men were angry with the decision and those who had volunteered now don't want to do the work.

Millar said the mill needs around 100 workers to keep the 24-hour operation going and although 207 of the 535 workforce had volunteered, only two men have put their hands up to work in a key area of the mill.

Without more volunteer workers in that area the mill will not be able to operate.

The company is offering $128 an hour for the 12-hour shifts.

"It's a lot of money but they won't be able to get back what they miss on Christmas Day," Millar said.

"There are some workers who would not see their children on Christmas Day, they start work before the children are awake and come when when they are in bed."

He said in 2007 and 2008, there were enough volunteers to keep the mill open but in 2009 the men decided not to work.

"These mills are expensive to shut down and expensive to restart but it's been a tradition in the industry that Christmas Day and Boxing Day are holidays," Millar said.

"There has been a fair bit of anger and even some of the men who have volunteered to work don't want to go in now - they don't like the idea of working against their volition."

Comment from the company is being sought.