Union challenges Opal's plan to remove fire, first aid and training positions at Maryvale mill

Opal Australian Paper’s decision to cut 84 positions at its Maryvale Mill has come under fire from local unions, who warn the company is targeting safety, emergency response and training jobs.

What happened: In a statement released last week by Opal, the company claimed the losses in jobs were due to the end of white paper production at the site and the failure of the Victorian Government to meet its contractual obligations to supply the mill with woodpulp.

• The Maryvale paper mill was Australia's last remaining manufacturer of white paper until early 2023, when it ceased production of the product and cut 156 jobs.

• In September 2025, Opal Australian Paper sued the Victorian Government for $402 million over what it said was a breach of a long-term timber supply agreement. The case is ongoing.

What jobs are at risk?

The Timber, Furnishing & Textiles Union’s (TFTU) Denise Campbell-Burns told the Monitor mill workers deserved greater transparency from the company.

"If Opal believes these jobs are no longer required, then it needs to show the workforce exactly how it reached that conclusion," Campbell-Burns said.

The union received a notice from Opal last Thursday night, informing it the company is proposing to cut positions across first aid, fire services, training, safety and other key support functions.

• “We don't want to see any reduction in the employee staffing that would compromise people's health and safety,” Campbell-Burns said.

The union has entered a period of consultation with the company.

“Until the consultation's finished, we won't know exactly how many of our members it impacts. But I would say at least half of the job losses will be union members,” Campbell-Burns said.