AWU members at Wilmar Sugar went on strike again this morning as the beleaguered sugar giant starts feeling the pressure.
“Hundreds of workers participated in our strike action across many sites last week and we are not slowing down," said AWU Northern District Secretary Jim Wilson.
"Today, we had another massive turnout to show Wilmar that we are not accepting a bad deal.
“Wilmar executives and their shareholders need to reflect on whether our members will settle for their next offer if they want these mills to keep operating.
"Wilmar has been backed into a corner and is trying a new tactic in order to avoid facing the music.
“Wilmar is now trying to hide behind the Fair Work Commission instead of coming back to the bargaining table with a serious offer.
"The billion-dollar corporation is also unsuccessfully attempting to sow division in the Northern Queensland communities.
“Wilmar is trying to turn these sugar communities against themselves by pitting workers against each other.
"These sugar communities can see through this Singaporean multi- national company desperately trying to wrestle back control of the narrative.
The AWU rejects that the onus is on their members to be concerned about the mill’s output.
“Wilmar can end this dispute whenever they want.
"Simply come to the bargaining table with a fair offer that reflects the worth of our workers and we’ll get back to work.
“We are hitting Wilmar where it hurts, we are not backing down – and the whole community is standing with us,” Mr Wilson said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jim Wilson (0419 765 952)
[pictures of strike action are available on request]
Background:
Our Coverage:
The Australian Workers’ Union is one of Queensland’s oldest and largest blue collar trade unions. The AWU represents workers in the sugar industry and has hundreds of members who work for sugar mills across Queensland.
What Action Can Workers Take:
The industrial action that workers have voted for includes strike action of 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours and 48 hours. It also includes (but is not limited to) work bans on performing overtime, call outs and working with contractors.
Previous Media Coverage:
“Australian Workers Union accuses Wilmar Sugar of bullying during pay vote”, Townsville Bulletin (16 November 2024): https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/australian-workers-union-accuses-wilmar-sugar-of-bullying-during-pay-vote/news-
story/05508c9ed837c775866ac92253ccb92d
“Wilmar Sugar Australia workers reject pay offer, AWU says”, Townsville Bulletin (18 November 2024): https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/wilmar-sugar-australia-workers-reject-pay-offer-awu-says/news-story/26cbea4fd4ac47134b429b1d880be721
“Wilmar Sugar and Renewables says cane harvest faces delays over worker strike action” Townsville Bulletin (10 May 2024) https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/wilmar-sugar-and-renewables-says-cane-harvest-faces-delays-over-worker-strike-action/news-
story/ecc17c406dc40f165024968267c4d9a8
“Wilmar Sugar Mills in Australia Face Work Stoppages Over Pay”, Bloomberg (7 May 2024)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-07/wilmar-sugar-mills-in-australia-face-industrial-action-over-pay?embedded-checkout=true
“North Queensland sugar mill workers form picket line against Wilmar, threaten the crush”, Courier Mail (9 May 2024)
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/north-queensland-sugar-mill-workers-form-picket-line-against-wilmar-threaten-the-crush/news-story/f0be5607daa1b86eaddaf49a5a87a431
