North Queensland sugar mill workers form picket line against Wilmar, threaten the crush

Just weeks ahead of the crush, North Queensland sugar mills have been surrounded by workers striking for a better wage, but a last minute meeting is hoping to bring an end to the clash. DETAILS, VIDEO.

Cars honked their horns in solidarity with the dozens of mill workers who joined a strike for better wages that has impacted eight mills and ethanol distilleries across North Queensland.

Taking place just weeks ahead of the crush, the industrial action comes after 12 months of negotiations between the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and Wilmar Sugar Mills broke down.

Aaron Neary, an organiser for the Australian Manufacturers Workers Union, spoke on behalf of the striking workers at Plane Creek. Photo: Fergus Gregg

AMWU organiser for the Mackay region Aaron Neary, speaking from the Plane Creek mill strike, said it’s down to nothing more than a dollar figure.

“They’ve more or less refused to meet for the past few months,” Mr Neary said.

While the AMWU has called for a 25 per cent wage increase over three years for all Wilmar mill workers, Wilmar has offered 13.75 per cent increase over four years with a five per cent retroactive increase from December 2023.

Canegrowers Mackay chairman Kevin Borg.

Canegrowers Mackay chairman Kevin Borg is hoping things are sorted as quickly as possible.

“We need to make hay while the sun shines,” he said.

The striking workers, stationed outside the Plane Creek mill along the Bruce Highway, were unable to speak out alone for fear of repercussions from Wilmar. Photo: Fergus Gregg

‘Not sweet enough’

The sun was shining at Plane Creek, sausages on bread were being passed out while the picket line bristled with signs bearing the strike’s slogan “not sweet enough”.

While spirits were high, the mill workers themselves chose not to make any statement on the record for fear of repercussion from Wilmar.

The slogan 'not sweet enough' is in reference to Wilmars offer of a pay increase that workers felt wasn't up to scratch. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“Wilmar have a history of being not so nice to cane growers and have a history of not being so nice to their workers,” Mr Neary said.

“Wilmar are offering subpar wages for the highly skilled and dangerous work that these workers do.

“They’ve left us no other option.”

Both Mr Neary and a Wilmar Sugar and Renewables spokesperson claim offers to negotiate have been refused by both parties.

“Earlier this week we asked the Fair Work Commission for assistance in resolving the EA dispute,” the Wilmar spokesperson said, claiming the company was looking forward to progressing to a mutually acceptable outcome.

A Fair Work Commission conciliation conference has been set down for May 10.

Mr Neary believes the FWC is limited through its powers on how it can help.

“This is about getting all parties back to the table,” he said.

“Hopefully the outcome of their recommendation is the beginning of meaningful dialogue.”

For cane growers in the Sarina District this strike comes off the back of two difficult crushes where “cane has been left in the paddock” due to poor weather conditions and “slow mill performance”.

Mackay, 19 July 18. Martin Bella, Mackay Regional Councillor and Canefarmer, is concerned that the strike could lead to another delayed crushing season.Photo : Daryl Wright.

Mackay regional councillor and Sarina canegrower Martin Bella said “We sincerely hope that these problems are resolved prior to the crush”.

Due to consistent rainfall some farmers, including Mr Bella, were harvesting their crop right up to Christmas.

“A third year of this would just be intolerable,” Mr Bella said.

“From our point of view any industrial action, is between staff and their employer and I don’t begrudge anyone, but ultimately we haven’t been paid adequately for two years.”

In Mr Borg’s opinion the industry can’t really afford another poor season.

Plane Creek mill is one of four remaining mills in the Mackay region and services Sarina's sugar farmers. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Reassuring canegrowers, a Wilmar spokesperson highlighted the $18m of upgrades and maintenance invested into Plane Creek mill as part of “multi-year strategy to improve reliability and performance”.

It’s unclear if the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union has agreed to meet on May 10, but Mr Neary made it clear that they would not end the strike until “a fair deal is reached”.

“Get back to the table and you can avoid all this,” Mr Neary said.

AWU Northern District Secretary Jim Wilson said there is another strike planned for Monday, with the goal of bringing Wilmar back to the bargaining table.

“We don’t want to see the crush affected (and) we don’t want the communities to suffer, but our only avenue to get this result is through taking industrial action,” he said.

“We don’t think it’s unreasonable for Wilmar to pay at the top of the industry given … they made billions of profit in the last couple of years internationally.

“All we’re asking for is a fair go for our members, and our members are asking for a fair go for the community.”