QLD: Sugar workers agree to pay sweetener

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2009
QLD: Sugar workers agree to pay sweetener

By Darren Cartwright

BRISBANE, Aug 29 AAP - Bundaberg Sugar workers have ended their strike action and will
return to work after accepting a new pay offer.

The Australian Workers' Union (AWU) imposed six days of rolling stoppages on Thursday
after pay negotiations broke down because the company wanted to buy out travel leave entitlements.

The action forced the closure of two mills and a refinery.

AWU organiser Tony Beers said more than 250 Bundaberg Sugar workers attended a meeting
on Saturday morning and all but one agreed to accept the new pay offer.

"The workers have resolved to accept a package which does not include any voluntary
or mandatory buyout of travel leave," Mr Beers said.

The package includes an 11 per cent pay rise over the next two and half years, with
the first increase of three and half per cent starting on Monday.

All workers will receive $300 as a sign-up bonus.

"It effectively gives the workers a seven per cent pay rise in seven months," Mr Beers said.

"The sign-up bonus is a goodwill bonus for the employees accepting the package."

Bundaberg Sugar spokeswoman Leone Aslett said Saturday's vote was a win-win for both
parties and production.

"All bans have been lifted allowing harvesting to recommence immediately, with crushing
due to start early Sunday morning," Ms Aslett said.

"We get six more days productivity because of a reduction in RDOs and that means a
lot to the company."

AAP dac/goc/apm

KEYWORD: SUGAR UPDATE

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