Grain handlers stopped for two hours on Tuesday at grain sites across the New England North West as part of escalating industrial action.
Industrial action occurred at Boggabri, Narrabri and Moree among other sites across the state, said the Australian Workers’ Union which represents the workers.
The protected industrial action was authorised by the Fair Work Commission after negotiations broke down with GrainCorp last month.
According to the union, workers have seen their pay go backwards in real terms over the last three years.
In 2021, 2022 and 2023 grain handlers received an annual increase of only 2 per cent a year, despite inflation rising at a rate of 2.86 per cent, 6.59 per cent and 4.10 per cent
respectively, meaning real wages have declined by 7.5 per cent.
In negotiations over the three-year deal, GrainCorp offered annual increases of 6 per cent, 5 per cent, and 3 per cent plus a $1000 sign-on bonus and their grain handlers want 6 per cent, 5 per cent, and 4 per cent plus a $1000 sign on bonus – a difference of 1 per cent.
On Monday, grain handlers, in an attempt to reach a deal, offered to forgo the $1000 sign on bonus, to secure the extra 1 per cent in year three of the agreement and GrainCorp refused.
“Grain handlers usually wouldn’t stop for anything during harvest as they’re as anxious as farmers to get the crops off quickly but they did take time out to watch the Melbourne Cup today given GrainCorp seems in no hurry to strike a deal with them,” Australian Workers’ Union NSW secretary Tony Callinan said.
“Just remember this is happening because GrainCorp refuses to come at a 1 per cent wage increase in year three of the new agreement – 1 per cent equates to approximately 30 cents per hour to grain handlers that won’t kick in for two years.”
Australia is one of the world’s biggest shippers of agricultural products – NSW being one of the country’s biggest growing regions. Harvesting of wheat, barley and canola is entering full swing and will continue into January. Bumper yields and excellent grain quality are being reported across the region.
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