Wilmar workers continue strike across North Queensland

With the crush looming, hopes for a quick resolution to the Wilmar workers strike have been dashed after an unsuccessful bargaining session. DETAILS.

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

Hopes that strikes from Wilmar mill workers would end after a Fair Work Commission Conciliation meeting were shot down as union organisers announce their intent to lead the industrial action into a third week.

The strike, launched on Thursday May 9, has impacted eight mills and ethanol distilleries across North Queensland including the Plane Creek mill in Sarina.

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

Delegates from the striking unions, including the AMWU, met with Wilmar representatives on May 13 to discuss the wage offer.

Union organiser with the AMWU, Aaron Neary, said, “Wilmar insisted at the Fair Work Commission that we come back with a reasonable offer.”

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

Union organisers approached the meeting prepared to drop their offer by 3 per cent, asking instead for a 22 per cent wage increase over three years.

Mr Neary reported that the counter offer from Wilmar was an additional 0.5 per cent increase on top of the 13.75 per cent increase over four years, with the 0.5 per cent being paid in the fourth year.

“The combined Unions are not seeking a four-year agreement in addition … Wilmar have removed the back pay offer from December,” Mr Neary said.

A Wilmar Sugar and Renewables spokesman said it was disappointing the unions are planning more strike action, but called the meetings “productive”.

Mr Neary said that Wilmar has “insulted the broader community with what they have offered”.

AMWU QLD and NT communications and campaigns officer Angus Haigh said, “what was proposed is not satisfactory”.

“Wilmar have the means to end the protected action by offering a fair pay increase but they haven’t done that.”

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

“Organisers are hopeful that we will meet an agreement before the crush but we are standing with the workers at Wilmar and won’t be backing down,” Mr Haigh said.

Another meeting between the two parties has been scheduled for May 22, while the unions involved have organised a strike for May 21.

“The combined unions are looking for a speedy resolution to this dispute,” Mr Neary said.
“That can only be achieved by Wilmar putting a fair offer on the table.”