GrainCorp sites across NSW, including this one at Moree, could be impacted by AWU’s industrial action. Photo: GrainCorp

AUSTRALIAN Workers’ Union members will start one-hour stoppages at GrainCorp sites across New South Wales from Tuesday, following a compulsory conciliation meeting on Friday that ended without an agreement.

AWU members voted to commence protected industrial action against GrainCorp at a ballot declared last Tuesday.

Friday’s meeting with the Fair Work Commission was the final chance for the parties to reach a deal before the planned industrial action is set to begin.

As part of negotiations, GrainCorp increased its proposal to employees offering a pay rise of 14 percent over three years at annual increments of 6pc, 5pc and 3pc plus a $1000 sign-on bonus and back pay to July 1, 2024.

This offer makes only a minor adjustment to GrainCorp’s previous proposal, adding $250 to the sign-on bonus.

GrainCorp withdrew its previous offer on October 19 after negotiations broke down between the two parties.

The AWU has refused to move on its push to have pay increased by 15pc over three years at increments of 6pc, 5pc and 4pc plus the $1000 sign-on bonus.

AWU NSW secretary Tony Callinan said the 1pc difference equates to approximately 30 cents per hour.

“GrainCorp decided to disrupt a bumper grain harvest across western NSW for 30 cents an hour in two years’ time,” Mr Callinan said.

“There are going to be trucks lined up at grain bunker silos all over western NSW [from] Tuesday.

“Our members work hard to deliver GrainCorp bumper profits, they are fed up with low wage increases and GrainCorp don’t think they are worth an extra 1pc.

“One off payments and annual bonuses at GrainCorp’s discretion are not going to cut it this time around.

“These workers do the same work as their colleagues in Queensland and they want to be paid the same, that’s just plain fair, and I’m pretty sure it passes the pub test, especially one south of the border.”

GrainCorp head of corporate affairs Jess Simons said the company feels that it “is a fair and generous offer that recognises the value of our people, who sit at the heart of our operations”.

“It’s deeply disappointing that rather than seizing the opportunity to resolve the dispute, the AWU has decided to escalate the process towards protected industrial action at the most important time of year for NSW growers and their businesses.

“GrainCorp respects the rights of union members to take protected industrial action, and we are totally committed to achieving an agreement for our employees, which we will continue to work towards.”

Ms Simons said GrainCorp was working to ensure growers could still deliver to its sites as harvest ramps up across the state.

“As well as continuing negotiations with all our employees, we are focused on minimising the impact of any industrial action on growers as our key customers, our business and the communities in which we operate.

“Our teams are working to understand the level of impact that any protected industrial action may have and ensuring that harvest activity can continue at our sites.

“We will be communicating directly with our grower customers to keep them informed of the situation as it continues to develop.”

Source: AWU, GrainCorp