Winning for Members in Tasmania

The mighty AWU Tasmania Branch continues to deliver for members across the state, from food processing to funerals, construction, and manufacturing! The rising cost of living is hitting Tasmanians hard, and our team has been fighting back to secure decent wage increases for members. 

In the seafood processing sector, the AWU has recently negotiated two EA’s with good results for hundreds of workers. Late last year, members in the Petuna salmon hatchery secured a three-year EA after long negotiations. Their EA includes pay increases of 4% (backdated to July 2024), 4% and 3%, with no trade-offs to existing conditions. Meanwhile, Tassal members in the salmon farms, Margate and Huonville processing facilities recently voted up a 1-year rollover EA with a 4% wage increase, ensuring our members secure a pay rise this year, before negotiating a full-term agreement in the near future.

AWU members at ARC, which produces steel supplies for the construction industry, have recently locked in a three-year EA, backdated to the start of 2026. The new agreement contains increases of 3.5% each year, an EBIT bonus of minimum 1% extra, and no trade-offs to existing conditions. a 6.3% increase over their two-year EA, with the first year backdated to July 2025.

We’ve also got some good agreements in the works! Dairy manufacturing workers at Lactalis will very soon vote on a proposed EA that sees a 12.5% wage increase in 21 months, an 80% increase in the leading hand allowance to $86.89 per week, a new manufacturing allowance, an increase in redundancy payment, and back pay to the start of the year. If supported, this will be a strong result for our members, thanks to efforts of our AWU bargaining team.

Our InvoCare members are also going out to vote shortly on a four-year EA offer that delivers 15% over the life of the agreement, and now includes administration workers – with no trade-off on existing conditions. Importantly, former Vincent Funeral workers will now be incorporated into the agreement, which will mean a significant pay increase for them.

Delegates at Grange Resources have sat through 11 bargaining meetings, but are still standing strong in the fight for a fair agreement. We’re now consulting with members on the proposed package and considering next steps in our campaign.

Most of these employers are part of multinational companies worth many billions of dollars, employing thousands of workers globally. Our members and officials are up against armies of lawyers and HR reps, and have held their own to secure decent outcomes for our members. Thank you to the AWU delegates and bargaining reps who have gone in to bat for their workmates and come out with a better deal!

AWU delegates at Grange standing strong for a better deal!