Union representatives will meet with Graincorp this Friday to attempt to break bread.

The meeting is the next step in attempting to improve working conditions for grain handlers, according to the Australian Workers Union (AWU), who say the workers, who move and store wheat, canola, barley and other grains, have seen their pay go backwards over the last three years.

The Fair Work Commission has stipulated that the two parties must meet as part of a compulsory conciliation.

Should negotiations break down on Friday, the 200 workers may decide to refuse to load or unload grain trucks and trains after an application was made to the Fair Work Commission to hold a ‘protected action ballot’ application on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for GrainCorp said the company continues to negotiate in good faith with both employees and the AWU and had held 10 meetings with them in the last six months.

“It is disappointing that the Union has indicated that it intends to take industrial action ahead of both this conciliation and a formal vote by its members,” the spokesperson said.

“We respect the rights of our workers to take protected industrial action and remain committed to working collaboratively through this process.

“Our goal is to continue these discussions constructively, ensuring a positive outcome for our employees while maintaining a strong and reliable service for growers on site,” Graincorp said.

Pay versus profit

The Union says 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 wages have declined by 7.5%.

This, in spite of a Graincorp profit of $139 million in 2021, in 2022 of $177 million and $250 million in 2023.

AWU NSW Secretary Tony Callinan said grain handlers are frustrated and running out of patience. “Graincorp aren’t negotiating in good faith and their grain handlers have had a gutful,” said Mr Callinan.

“In 2022 we wrote to them saying due to inflation going through the roof they should pay grain handling staff more, and they said if their workers want more money they can work overtime, then they took the overtime away.

“Meanwhile the top knobs at Graincorp are giving themselves $25,000 a year increases, one bloke’s on over a $1 million a year, another’s on $700,000 and a few more are on $500,000 plus.

“Our members’ have been bringing in bumper harvests, delivering big profits, and Graincorp just kicks them in the guts every time.

“This year has been another good year and with the grain harvest about to commence in the coming weeks AWU members will be taking industrial action during this bumper harvest period.

“Every extra dollar our members earn ends up in the green grocers, newsagents and sports shops of Moree, Barellan, Parkes, Trange, Warren, and Gilgandra, it doesn't go offshore into shareholders pockets in the form of corporate profits.

“Our members in NSW do the same work as members in Queensland and only want to be paid the same, that’s just plain fair, the same pay for the same job, you don’t need an ethics degree to work that out.

“Our members now have no choice, they will have to refuse to load grain trains otherwise Graincorp management just won’t listen,” said Mr Callinan.