AWU push Graincorp for 12% pay increase

The Australian Workers’ Union is calling on GrainCorp to deliver its first decent pay rise to NSW members for years.

AWU organisers are pushing for a 12 per cent pay rise over four years – a deal it says is only fair given the record harvest this year.

But despite shareholders set to receive big dividends, GrainCorp is so far refusing to budge on the pay rise.

It’s also rejected calls for salary sacrificing, improved start times paid domestic violence leave and that overtime and weekend work should be offered to fulltime wages staff in the first instance.

Tony Callinan, AWU NSW Assistant Branch Secretary, said: “It’s been a tough few years for people living in regional NSW. They’ve suffered through the drought and now being hit by the pandemic. Surely it’s time to start giving something back?

“The extra pay rise we are asking for would cost GrainCorp less than 200k but benefit 180 workers and their families. This is not class warfare whingeing – it’s about GrainCorp treating the vast majority of its workers with complete and utter disrespect.”

The AWU has been trying to negotiate with GrainCorp management for months – demanding better pay and working conditions for nearly 180 workers – grain handlers and pest control workers in NSW. The AWU is urging its members to reject GrainCorp’s 2 per cent pay rise.

Mr Callinan said: “GrainCorp has pretty much rejected all of our calls for better pay and working conditions. What we are calling for would barely make a dent in GrainCorp’s profits but would make a huge difference to the pay packets of our members and a difference to the communities that they live in.

“It would also be money that would be well spent in regional communities and businesses across NSW that have been struggling for years.

“Our members are the backbone of GrainCorp operations on the ground and work hard in all type of conditions to ensure GrainCorp as a brand are respected.

They deserve better and we will negotiate to push for this very modest but well deserved pay rise.”