Deborah Friend
WORKERS at Wilmar Sugar, which owns the Proserpine Mill, are still not happy following yet another meeting yesterday.
The pay dispute between management and the workforce, who are represented by three unions, rumbles on as an agreement fails to be reached.
The most recent meeting – held yesterday (Thursday, June 20) in Townsville – did not result in a decision and follows weeks of negotiations and industrial action by workers.
In a statement released on Thursday, AMWU Communications & Campaigns Officer Angus Haigh said the Bargaining Unit was maintaining its position.
“On Thursday, representatives from the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), and the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) met with Wilmar management, in Townsville, to continue negotiations,” Mr Haigh said.
“Our expectation was for the company to come forward and present a new position for consideration. Unfortunately, this was not the case, although discussions were had.
“While no official offer was put on the table, the company indicated they would like to secure this Enterprise Agreement (EA) with an outcome of between 14.25 per cent – 15 per cent over a three-and-a-half year term.
“It was also mentioned that if the position were closer to 15 per cent, the company would want productivity gains, including the ability to control when employees took their Rostered Days Off (RDOs) and moving mealtimes to ‘represent the time a meal would normally be taken’.
“The entire Single Bargaining Unit (SBU) was very clear that the above discussions would not be supported by the workforce.
“Our current position of 22 per cent over a three-year period was maintained, with justification provided throughout the meeting, backed up by economic data supporting our claim.
“The SBU is scheduled to meet for a report back meeting with the Fair Work Commission tomorrow [Friday].”
Wilmar Sugar said Enterprise Agreement talks were ‘productive’.
In a statement, issued on Thursday, June 20, the company said:
‘The Fair Work Commission will be updated tomorrow (Friday) on continuing negotiations between Wilmar Sugar and Renewables and three unions on a new enterprise agreement for about 1,200 company employees.
‘During four hours of talks in Townsville today (Thursday) company representatives and union bargaining agents explored opportunities to reduce the gap between the previous company offer and union claims, by defining the potential zones where an agreement might be possible.
‘Sugar and Renewables’ representatives were prepared to consider increases in a range between 14.25 per cent and 15 per cent. At the upper end of that range the company would expect productivity gains in return.
‘Unions were prepared to consider increases in a range between 18 per cent and 22 per cent.’
A spokesman for Sugar and Renewables said progress was difficult, while unions persisted with claims that were not supported by available economic indicators and independent forecasts.
“The company has been willing, open and honest, through 15 months of negotiation,” the company spokesman said.
“The commercial reality remains that we cannot sustain the wage increases the unions are seeking,” he said.
“We need to be sustainable in order to compete in the global market, grow and diversify, securing jobs and economic contribution in the longer term.
“Successful negotiations require understanding as well as good faith on both sides. We firmly believe that a sustainable, fair and reasonable enterprise agreement is achievable.
“While we were unable to reach a final agreement today, the discussions were productive, and we were able to move forward with the AWU on a number of log items.”
On Friday, the parties were scheduled to report to a Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission, who has been assisting with negotiations since May.
“Meanwhile, Sugar and Renewables continues to bring its factories into production after delays caused largely by industrial action brought on by unions, over recent weeks,” the Wilmar spokesman said.
“All four Burdekin mills are crushing cane and making raw sugar, molasses and renewable energy.
“The company’s other four mills – located in the Herbert, Proserpine and Sarina regions – are scheduled to start production early next week.”
