More than 200 workers at a plywood mill in Victoria's northeast have been locked out and are holding a rolling picket line at the front gates in an escalation of their pay dispute.
Workers have been fighting Carter Holt Harvey for a three per cent pay rise, leave over Christmas and better income protection for about a year.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union district assistant secretary Andrew Vendramini told AAP workers gave notice of protected industrial action in the form of rolling stoppages to start on Wednesday.
But at 2am, security guards escorted workers out of the mill, locking them out, and temporary fencing was put up, Mr Vendramini said.
"They've got them locked out like animals," he said.
Workers are now protesting in front of the mill in rolling shifts according to their work rosters and are prepared to be there for weeks, Mr Vendramini said.
The action affects 160 full-time workers and 47 casuals.
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