New award is 'rushed'

Growers have been left frustrated after being given only two weeks to implement changes to the Horticulture Award.

Granite Belt Grower's Association VP Nathan Baronio says a transition period should have been implemented for the new Horticulture Award. Picture: Matthew Purcell

GROWERS have been left frustrated after being given only two weeks to implement changes to the Horticulture Award.

The Fair Work Commission handed down its decision on April 2 and has given fruit and vegetable growers until April 15 to comply.

The changes will see casual workers receive overtime rates if they work overnight, where the employee works more than 12 hours a day or 304 hours over eight weeks.

A casual employee must be paid a night loading of 15 per cent for any ordinary hours which are worked between 8.31pm and 4.59am.

The changes to the Horticulture Award were first proposed in 2014.

Chris Wren from Wrens Valley Produce said it was just another thing producers had to deal with on top of drought.

"The stipulation of 38 hours a week is a major impost. Our season runs for such a short amount of time, we need to work a lot of hours in the day, seven days a week to make it count,” he said.

"The other thing is having to pay penalty rates for night-time rates. After 8.30pm is okay but before 4.30am that's just ridiculous.

"In the middle of summer when it's hottest we like our workers to start as soon as it's light enough. That's purely for the workers' benefit really to look after it a little. That's a ludicrous legislation, that is.”

Wrens will wind up production in two to three weeks, six weeks earlier than normal. Mr Wren said in an ordinary season it would have been a much bigger issue.

"I'm sure for the Lockyer Valley growers who are just starting it would be a fair sort of impost for sure,” he said.

"It's just another bit of stuff to bring in upon us. Just seems to be one thing after another these days.”

Granite Belt Grower's Association vice-president Nathan Baronio said a transition phase would have been ideal.

"To implement something in such a short time frame, in an area of business not a lot have formal education in, is tough,” he said.

"I can only imagine a lot of guys would have done their projections and budgets and would not have factored in such a significant change.

"If something is that important it shouldn't be rushed in to.

"Producers should be able to move forward with confidence, not move forward always double checking.” Mr Baronio said.