Wambo Wind Farm: Dead cows dumped as wind farm workers walk off the job

In bizarre scenes, dead cows have been found lying next to union signs at the site of a Darling Downs wind farm, where workers are striking for better pay rates.

A number of workers have walked off site of the Wambo Wind Farm project near Jandowae this week, calling for “fair and equal pay”.

Crane operators, riggers and dogmen employed by Qube Heavy Lift initiated the strike this week, after workers at the wind farm and the Port of Brisbane voted no to the company’s proposed enterprise agreement.

CFMEU QLD/NT cranes organiser Dean Mattas said the union had been negotiating over the agreement since the start of the year.

“We have been asking for the market rate, no different to the rest of SEQ,” he said.

The first of 83 turbines in the Western Downs project.

Mr Mattas described the pay rates as “un-Australian”.

“Qube workers don’t take protected action lightly, but they were left with no other option after management ignored their log of claims,” he said in a statement.

“There is big money in this wind farm and there are other crane crews working alongside Qube workers who are being paid market rates with proper industry

standard conditions.

“Qube’s divide-and-rule tactics are un-Australian. As the principal contractor at Wambo Wind Farm, Vestas must ensure fairness and equality for all workers

building this renewables project.”

Mr Mattas also claimed Qube Heavy Lift had four different subsidiaries all paying their workers at different rates, which he described as “unheard of”.

CFMEU workers found dead cows allegedly dumped at their camp site.

Mr Mattas said he was disappointed to arrive at the site this morning to find two dead cows allegedly dumped next to union signage.

Mr Mattas said he expected the strike to continue for some time.

“This will be ongoing until the workers are treated with respect and dignity,” he said.

“Vestus has a responsibility at Wambo to ensure there is procurement policy to ensure workers are paid the market rates, so there is equality across the project.”

Workers voted against the enterprise agreement. PICTURED: Generic wind turbines. Wind farm. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

Qube hit back at the CFMEU’s claims, saying it had provided a “generous” and fair offer.

Having sought to significantly disrupt operations at the Port of Brisbane over recent weeks, it is deeply disappointing that the CFMEU is now targeting our customer in an enterprise bargaining dispute,” a Qube spokesperson said.

“Several employees are currently on strike and the CFMEU has rejected Qube’s generous wage offer, which included a substantial initial increase followed by a further 8% over two years, as well as a one-off $2500 sign on bonus.

“The union continues to press a log of claims that is both unreasonable, unsustainable and which would involve a complete rewrite of the existing agreement.

“After enduring CFMEU’s campaign of disruption for long enough, Qube applied to the Fair Work Commission for assistance last week and further bargaining meetings have now been scheduled over the next week and half.

“We urge the union to get back the bargaining table, engage meaningfully with the offer on the table, allow workers to get back to paid work and bring this dispute to an end.”

Originally published as Wambo Wind Farm: Dead cows dumped as wind farm workers walk off the job