Grain handlers who are part of the Australian Worker's Union (AWU) voted on 23 October to participate in work stoppages should a meeting between the union and GrainCorp with the Fair Work Commission tomorrow (Friday 25 October) turn sour.

The industrial action involves several one-hour work stoppages throughout the state starting 29 October. 

The AWU claims more than 200 workers statewide will participate in the action.

GrainCorp said significantly less than 200 workers in NSW are union members and thus can take protected industrial action. 

 AWU NSW secretary Tony Callinan said they have union workers in all locations. 

In the Western Plains area, GrainCorp has sites in Coonamble, Gilgandra, Lachlan, Narromine, Nyngan,  Walgett, Warren, and the Warrumbungles.

Mr Callinan said he cannot comment exactly how many workers will participate on the day in the Western Plains area as this depends on the location. 

"They will decide at a site-based level how many one-hour stoppages they have."

Mr Callinan predicted the fallout to be especially hard on Coonamble and Walgett where harvest activity is well underway.

"The idea is to maximize the impact on GrainCorp and minimize the impact on member's pay pockets."

GrainCorp said they are still assessing the impact an industrial strike could have on harvest activity. 

Between 2021 and 2023 workers' wages declined by 7.5 percent when considering the inflation rates of 2.86 percent, 6.59 percent, and 4.10 percent over the past three years. 

Within that same period, GrainCorp workers' wages only rose by 2 percent annually. 

GrainCorp says they have tried to come to a solution with the AWU. 

"GrainCorp put forward a generous offer of 14 percent pay rise over three years, spread as 6, +5, and +3 percent,"  Head of Corporate Affairs at GrainCorp Jess Simons said.

"On top of the 14 percent pay rise, GrainCorp has also paid generous cash bonuses to all permanent employees outside of the terms of agreements, in order to share the benefits of the strong performance of our teams and business."

 GrainCorp workers have long days ahead of them during the harvest season. Photo: GrainCorp

Workers in NSW are getting paid less than in other states, a sticking point for the union and its members. 

"Our members in northwest NSW think it's a bit obscene what they get paid," Mr Callinan said.

"If you drive two hours north across the border, someone might be doing the same job and get paid more." 

The grain handlers' wages does not reflect the work they put in, especially during the demanding harvest season. 

"I spoke to a truck driver out at Coonamble yesterday who said they were lined up at 7 am and didn't get unloaded till after 11 am," Mr Callinan said. 

"It's a hot time of year and very dusty. They work very hard during harvest to keep the trucks coming in and out as quick as they can to get the crops off." 

Mr Callinan said he hopes they do not have to follow through with the industrial action and can reach an agreement with GrainCorp. 

"Hopefully GrainCorp comes to the table with a decent offer."

Ms Simmons said they are hoping for a positive outcome on Friday. 

"We will continue to put carefully considered, comprehensive, generous offers on the table and our next opportunity will be this Friday.

As well as reaching a resolution, our key focus is to minimise the impact of any industrial action on growers who are key customers," Ms Simons said. 

If the industrial action is not effective the AWU says they are willing to up the stoppages to four hours or even an indefinite timeframe including bans on unloading and loading of trucks and trains.