Grain handlers working at grain receival sites across NSW have voted to accept a proposed pay deal with their employer GrainCorp which will see their pay packets rise by 12% by July 1 next year, said the Australian Workers’ Union which represents the workers.
The deal comes after grain handlers backed each other and rolled out protected industrial action authorised by the Fair Work Commission after negotiations broke down with GrainCorp last month.
AWU members stood shoulder to shoulder during Industrial action at Boggabri, Narrabri, Moree, Parkes, Caragabal, and at many other sites earlier this month, including a stop work on Melbourne Cup day.
The workers have seen their pay go backwards in real terms over the last three years.
In 2021, 2022 and 2023 grain handlers received an annual increase of only 2% a year, despite inflation rising at a rate of 2.86%, 6.59% and 4.10% respectively, meaning real wages have declined by 7.5%.
The three year deal voted up today by a whooping 90% of the workforce offers annual increases of 6%, 6% and 2% plus a $1250 sign on bonus and back pay.
The first pay rise will be backdated to July 1st 2024, the second will kick in on July 1st 2025 and the final increase will arrive in pay packets on July 1st 2026.
Members began voting on the 18th of November at 6am with voting concluding on the 19th of November at 6am.
“Grain handlers backed each other, stood shoulder to shoulder and now they’ve had a great result, they’re stoked,” said Australian Workers’ Union NSW Assistant Branch Secretary Ron Cowdrey.
“This is a huge win and it just shows if you work as a team and have each other’s backs you can achieve great things.
“Our members can now focus fully on getting in the winter harvest.
“It’s sad our members had to resort to industrial action as it caused unnecessary worry for farmers during the busy winter harvest season but GrainCorp just weren’t hearing what their workers were telling them.”
-AWU