Loading wheat at CBH Group’s Kwinana terminal in WA. Photo: CBH Group

WORKERS at CBH Group’s Kwinana Grain Terminal are set to commence rolling 24-hour work stoppages at the site from next week as negotiations stall between unions and Western Australia’s dominant bulk handler.

KGT plant operators and maintenance workers are being represented by the Maritime Union of Australia and the Electrical Trades Union, and commenced protected action at Kwinana.

They earlier this month commenced protected action included work stoppages ranging in duration from one to several hours, and bans on certain duties, such as unloading and loading wagons and trucks, and sampling activities.

The upcoming 24-hour stoppages are planned from Monday to September 6, which will coincide with a planned September 1-15 maintenance shutdown at KGT.

CBH Group chief people officer Jacky Connolly said the company performs “critical maintenance work” during this annual shutdown period.

“Given the most recent notice of rolling 24-hour work stoppages, the co-operative will need to put measures in place to ensure operations continue and key maintenance and safety critical works are completed,” Ms Connolly said in a statement.

“Our priority is to get a deal done that works for all parties.

“We continue to work for a resolution with our plant operators and maintenance employees, and the unions, for a reasonable and sustainable agreement to be in place as soon as possible.”

Ms Connolly said there had been 11 formal bargaining meetings during the five months CBH had been in negotiations with employees and the unions.

“At the most recent bargaining meeting on Wednesday last week, CBH increased its headline wage offer from 2 percent to 2.5pc each year over three years, and also offered to increase pay for additional nightshifts and an additional increase for working a rotating shift.

“In response, the MUA and ETU reiterated their previous demand of a wage increase of 6pc each year over three years.

“In addition, the unions have insisted on pursuing about 70 additional claims.

“We are, of course, disappointed that the MUA and ETU have not moved on their offer.

“We are also disappointed that they have decided to take further industrial action.”

Union response

The MUA has over 100 members working across operations and maintenance at KGT, WA’s largest grain-export facility, shipping more than half of the state’s total grain production on average each year.

MUA WA branch organiser Daniel Piccoli said he was aware that prior to negotiations starting in March, CBH had offered stevedores working at KGT 5pc each year.

“With none of the detrimental roster changes or conditions attached to the current offer, why are operators and maintenance (staff) that work at the same facility considered different?” Mr Piccoli asked.