November 20, 2024 - Australian Workers Union (AWU) staff employed as grain handlers at GrainCorp's New South Wales (NSW) site have voted to accept a proposal brokered by AWU and GrainCorp representatives.
The proposal relates to a pay rise of six percent in both the current and 2025-26 financial years, and two percent for 2026-27, and its acceptance puts an end to rolling stoppages at GrainCorp sites in NSW, where the winter-crop harvest is in full swing, AWU workers overwhelmingly voted in favour of the proposal over a 24-hour period.
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AWU members working at GrainCorp sites in NSW received annual wage increases from FY21 to FY23 of two percent per year, against annual rates of inflations of 2.9%, 6.6% and 3.4% respectively.
AWU said this equated to a decline in real wages of 7.5% over the three years, and prompted a move to protected industrial action, as authorised by the Fair Work Commission, after negotiations broke down with GrainCorp last month.
"Grain handlers backed each other, stood shoulder to shoulder and now they've had a great result, they're stoked," said AWU NSW Assistant Branch Secretary Ron Cowdrey.
"This is a huge win and it just shows if you work as a team and have each other's backs you can achieve great things.
"Our members can now focus fully on getting in the winter harvest."
Affected GrainCorp sites included Boggabri, Caragabal, Moree, Narrabri and Parkes.
The three year-deal which AWU has voted in favour of includes a $1250 sign-on bonus and back pay.
The first pay rise will be backdated to July 1, 2024, the second will kick in on July 1, 2025 and the final increase will be implemented on July 1, 2026.
GrainCorp has responded positively to the AWU members vote in favour of accepting the proposal.
"We are pleased that NSW employees have voted in favour of their Enterprise Agreement," A GrainCorp spokesperson said in a statement.
"This outcome reflects our commitment to providing a fair, competitive and supportive workplace for our valued team members."
The Global MillerThis blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
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