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GrainCorp workers vote to hold stoppages at NSW sites

Emma Alsop October 23, 2024

Moree is one of GrainCorp’s many sites which could be impacted by rolling stoppages over a pay dispute it has with the Australian Workers’ Union. File photo: GrainCorp

AUSTRALIAN Workers’ Union members at GrainCorp sites across New South Wales have voted to stop work as part of protected industrial action following a ballot declared this afternoon.

The AWU claims more than 200 workers will commence their action with one month of random one-hour stoppages at grain-handling sites throughout the state beginning next Tuesday, October 29.

However, Grain Central understands “significantly less than 200 workers” were eligible to vote, and not all of them voted.

The Fair Work Commission approved a protected industrial-action ballot for GrainCorp workers after negotiations with GrainCorp management broke down.

AWU NSW secretary Tony Callinan said workers at individual sites across NSW will decide when to have the work stoppages.

“The reason why we have structured the industrial action in the way that the members will decide on-site…is that we’ll be targeting the areas at the busiest time,” Mr Callinan said.

“This will maximise the impact on GrainCorp.

“At Coonamble and Walgett, some of [the growers] were lined up from 7am this morning and didn’t get their first load off until after 11am.

“They are already very agitated, and if our members in those areas stop work, then that is going to cause significant impact to GrainCorp.”

Details are not yet known as to how many sites will be impacted; however, Mr Callinan said all the primary sites, such as Walgett, Coonamble, and Moree are expected to be affected.

“Now it’s harvest time and the window for talk is fast closing; unless GrainCorp comes to the party, workers will send a strong message by simply stopping work while the trucks are lined down the road waiting to unload.”

GrainCorp, which has just over 90 sites operating in NSW, and the AWU will meet on Friday as part of a further compulsory conciliation meeting with the Fair Work Commission.

If a deal is struck during this meeting, it could prevent the industrial action proposed by the AWU workers.

GrainCorp head of corporate affairs Jess Simons said the company was hopeful an agreement can be reached at this meeting.

“GrainCorp respects the rights of union members to take protected industrial action, but we are focused on reaching an agreement for our employees,” Ms Simons said in a statement.

“The work they do is valued and it is a critical agreement.

“We’re hopeful of reaching an agreement at the Fair Work Commission conference on Friday and continuing to negotiate with full transparency and in good faith.”

Ms Simons said the company was also considering what impacts the proposed actions could have on growers and now this could be minimised.

“As well as reaching a resolution, our key focus is to minimise the impact of any industrial action on growers, who are our key customers.

“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.”

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