THE DISPUTE at the Kwinana Grain Terminal has escalated significantly in recent days, with CBH Group reinstating a lockout of more than 130 workers amid ongoing tensions with union members.
On 8 October CBH locked out its entire Kwinana workforce for the second time in two months, citing ongoing industrial action in a move that came just hours after the company sent a written counteroffer to the unions late the previous evening.
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and Electrical Trades Union (ETU) reported that CBH’s proposed enterprise agreement was overwhelmingly rejected—only three workers voted in favor.
MUA WA branch secretary Will Tracey condemned the lockout as “corporate thuggery,” accusing CBH of undermining negotiations and mistreating a loyal workforce. He emphasized that no industrial action had occurred in the past five weeks and that the unions were bargaining in good faith.
CBH claims the lockout is necessary to maintain safe operations amid partial work bans and stoppages since July. The company insists it has bargained in good faith over 24 meetings and recently increased its wage offer.
From a broader perspective the lockout threatens the timely handling of Western Australia’s record grain harvest, as the Kwinana terminal plays a critical role in export logistics.
A media release from the MUA claimed CBH’s lockout was “unprovoked” and amounts to “corporate thuggery” and “mendacious corporate bastardry”.
The union said that no industrial action has occurred in the past five weeks, and workers were negotiating in good faith.
CBH’s proposed enterprise agreement was overwhelmingly rejected—only three workers supported it.
The union accuses CBH of undermining negotiations by sending a counteroffer late at night and initiating a lockout the next morning before any response could be made.
CBH said the lockout was reinstated due to ongoing industrial action, including partial work bans and stoppages since July and claims to have bargained in good faith over 24 meetings, including recent sessions facilitated by the Fair Work Commission.