Inkerman Mill: Wilmar says sugar-cane crush has resumed

Wilmar Sugar says planned industrial action Wednesday has forced the closure of its only mill currently crushing cane.

Inkerman Mill.

The start, stop beginning of the Queensland sugar-cane harvest has started again.

Wilmar Sugar and Renewables confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the economically vital crush had resumed at its Inkerman Mill, with production also scheduled to begin at its Invicta and Kalamia mills, also in the Burdekin, on Thursday.

Australia’s largest sugar producer had earlier halted production at Inkerman due to planned industrial action by three unions representing hundreds of Wilmar employees.

In a statement, Wilmar said it would apply to the Fair Work Commission for an urgent hearing of its argument for orders to immediately suspend protected action to allow the annual crush to proceed while enterprise agreement negotiations continued.

General Manager Operations Mike McLeod, speaking before the crush resumed, said uncertainty about stoppages presented both operational and safety concerns that left it no option but to shut Inkerman.

The mill, one of eight operated by Wilmar, began production of raw sugar on Monday, bringing hope that often strained employment-agreement (EA) negotiations between the company and the unions would be amicably resolved.

Unionised employees from Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Victoria and Macknade mills in Herbert River on strike in Ingham on Tuesday morning. Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr McLeod said the mill had shut after union delegates advised that workers planned to stop work at the three Burdekin mills for an hour at midday in support of union claims for an 18 per cent pay rise.

Speaking later in the day, Mr McLeod said it shared the views expressed by union officials that harming the interests of cane growers should be avoided during EA negotiations.

“We have 6000 tonnes of burnt cane in the Inkerman yard now, and we are told there is another 7000 tonnes in the paddock,” he said.

“We need to get that cane through the mill as soon as we can,” he said.

Mr McLeod said Wilmar would have continued crushing overnight had it been certain about the extent of Wednesday’s union stoppage.

The company confirmed that it had received a request from unions to resume negotiations as soon as possible on a new enterprise agreement.

A majority of Wilmar employees have voted against Wilmar’s most recent offer of a 14.25 per cent pay increase over 3.5 years, a $1500 sign-on bonus, and 50 permanent positions for seasonal and term contract workers.

The Australian Workers Union said workers were looking forward to working on Wednesday.

“They want to get on with the crush and do the right thing by local growers while also fighting for their fair pay rise (but) they are not being allowed to by this company,” AWU Northern District Secretary Jim Wilson said.

The Burdekin Shire Council also jumped into the fray on Wednesday, saying sugar industry played a critical role in “sustaining the local economy and the prosperity of our community”.

Newly elected Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort expressed concern about the damage the dispute was doing to the district’s growth and development.

“The recent publicised industrial dispute between Wilmar and its workers is a concern, not only for the parties involved, but the broader Burdekin community,” she said.

“While it is not the remit of Council to directly involve itself in the matter, as Mayor, I strongly encourage all parties to work collaboratively in a bid to finalise the dispute, for the common good of our community.”

Originally published as Inkerman Mill: Wilmar says sugar-cane crush has resumed