The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union says workers at the Pinjarra refinery near Perth are being subjected to bullying and a dictatorial style of management.

The union has accusing manufacturing company Alcoa of placing workers “under intense pressure by punitive managers where minor breaches have automatically resulted in first and final warnings”.

The AMWU has now organised a petition for an urgent Worksafe inquiry into the alleged situation.

Union delegates and counsellors say workers have reported high levels of stress and fear over the past few years, which they claimed is confirmed by more than 200 union health surveys.

State Labor MP and AMWU member, Sally Talbot, was presented with the petition and asked WA’s Minister for Commerce to authorise an inquiry.

“Many employees have already been pushed to breaking point yet management is refusing to acknowledge our serious concerns regarding this entrenched and systemic bullying, harassment and intimidation,” the petition stated.

AMWU convenor Charlie Clarke says Alcoa has stopped implementing its previous approach of simply counselling employees over safety or disciplinary infractions.

“This isn’t a one-off problem - it’s a pattern of management behaviour set from the top. It’s disrespectful and brutal. It doesn’t help productivity, it hinders it,” he said.