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A. LE FLOCH
THE ongoing battle between Bundaberg Sugar management and unions over workers leave has not progressed despite another meeting yesterday, with union representatives saying industrial action was “90% likely”.
“The company is unmoved,” Australian Workers Union organiser Tony Beers said.
“They won't accept that it is not about money, it's about (workers) being able to spend more time with their families.”
Mr Beers said staff were working about 20 hours overtime a week to complete the upgrades to Millaquin Mill, and they would also work overtime during the crush, which is scheduled to start at the end of June.
“The next meeting is three weeks away, which is almost the start of crush,” Mr Beers said.
“I would be very nervous if I had a crop of cane.”
Bundaberg Canegrowers chairman Allan Dingle said he was “not concerned yet” about the threat of industrial action.
He said he would speak with Bundaberg Sugar management today about the negotiations.
The NewsMail contacted Bundaberg Sugar management, but calls were not returned.
RUMOURS about the likely closure of Bingera Mill have been re-ignited as the union battles with Bundaberg Sugar bosses over the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
At the 7am mass meeting on-site yesterday, workers unanimously voted to reject a proposition that the company would buy out one week's worth of annual leave, which was provided to compensate for travel time.
Australian Workers Union organiser Tony Beers described the workers as “pretty hostile” and said they would stand firm with their demands.
“The workers aren't copping what management is dishing out,” Mr Beers said.
“They are definitely talking about escalating this to industrial action.”
Mr Beers said at the meeting with management that followed, senior Bundaberg Sugar officials revealed the tenuous future of Bingera Mill.
“(Management said) they are trying to keep Bingera Mill open - it's the first time I've heard about it,” he said.
Bundaberg Sugar general manager Ray Hatt said he had been up front with the workers about Bingera's position.
“We have told (staff) that Bingera will definitely operate this year and next year is dependent on sugarcane supply,” Mr Hatt said.
But a failure to agree on the message to workers about Bingera Mill was not the only sticking point.
Mr Beers said the extra week's leave was industry-standard and workers had forgone other benefits to get it.
“If negotiations don't move forward, it could distrupt the crush,” he said.
Bundaberg Sugar human resource manager David Pickering painted a different picture - he described the negotiation process as “going quite well”.
“We're working through some issues, and trying to introduce some flexibility to rosters,” he said.
“I'm confident we can reach an agreement soon and be ready for the crush.”
The next meeting will take place on April 22.