AN ONGOING dispute between the United Workers Union and GrainCorp has the potential to disrupt grain exports from the company’s Geelong and Portland terminals.
Around 100 union members began a 24-hour strike at 0600 yesterday morning [21 October], claiming a breakdown in long-running negotiations over a new EBA.
The UWU claims GrainCorp is refusing to implement a workable rostering system, include the provision of safety equipment in the agreement and delivery of a fair pay rise, that helps to close the gap between GrainCorp sites.
The breakdown in negotiations comes after GrainCorp conceded earlier this year that it had underpaid Geelong GrainCorp workers to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars by failing to pay workers at the Geelong port a higher duties penalty entitlement for up to six years, the union claims.
“Members at GrainCorp are undertaking strike action to raise the alarm about what they describe as a pattern of disrespect and underhanded tactics engaged in by management during the EBA negotiations,” Tom Czech, UWU lead organiser, Food and Beverage, said.
“Concerned about the scale and lack of transparency around the higher duties underpayment earlier this year, the UWU flagged several other non-compliance issues and failure to adhere to the current agreement with management. To date, these issues have not been addressed.
“Alarmingly, the company is now attempting to remove or amend these key clauses in the agreement, in which compliance issues were raised including clauses related to the span of hours and rostering and the duration that casual workers are engaged for.
“GrainCorp has also refused the union’s ongoing requests to be part of the company’s working group examining the higher grades duties underpayment, with the UWU wanting adequate union representation to help ensure EBA compliance and accuracy of payouts,” Mr. Czech said.
A GrainCorp spokesperson told DCN: “We’re disappointed the union has chosen to take strike action when GrainCorp has been negotiating in good faith. This dispute is largely about pay, and the parties remain far apart on this and bridging that gap requires constructive negotiations at the table.
“There is a rostering system in place and there always has been. We have proposed some changes to the Enterprise Agreement that are intended to reflect how the sites and teams actually operate today, and to bring them in line with best practice at GrainCorp.
“On higher duties, we identified earlier this year that some employees hadn’t been correctly paid under past arrangements, and we immediately investigated and have begun remediation. We are working directly with employees, including a union delegate, and an external compliance provider, to resolve it fairly and transparently.
“Our priority remains a fair outcome that recognises our people and supports the long-term sustainability of the business and jobs, while keeping our sites running safely and efficiently.”