19 October, 2023
Workers on strike
Over 130 workers went on a third strike at NH Foods’ Oakey Beef Exports after the company refused a union request to match wage increases to the cost of living index.
The strike took place on Monday morning, and followed a course of three separate actions by workers since September:
1. A ban on overtime
2. A four-hour stoppage
3. Three 24 hour strikes, of which this was the third in the last fornight.
Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) union members, who are paid less than Australian workers were banned from striking under terms imposed by their labour hire company.
Australian Meat Industry Employees Union branch organiser Ronnie Weston said Oakey Beef requires a higher level of competency from its workers, while paying employees the same rate as other abattoirs.
“(At Oakey Beef) you’ve got to bone and slice a full-body to be classed as competent,” he said.
“A lot of places only require one cut competency.
“It takes a higher level of skill (at Oakey Beef Exports).
“You just can’t compare pay rates between different abattoirs and agreements made at different times.
“For example, (JBS) Beef City’s agreement was made in December last year, and cost of living has got much worse since then.”
It’s at least the second time this year that NH workers have downed tools.
The Oakey Champion reported earlier this year that Pacific Labour Mobility workers had refused to turn up for work, after Oakey Beef said it was not its responsibility to cover the gap between their labour hire pay, and the Australians’ which is believed to be as big as $400 a week in some cases.
Three workers were singled out as the ring-leaders by labour hire company Food Industry People (FIP) Group and were stood down.
Two have returned to work following negotiations, and one decided not to.
Mr Weston said he’d told the workers after this incident that they were unable to officially strike due to their visa terms.
Negotiations by unions have resulted in pay parity being secured for PALM workers, which came into effect on 1st October.
FIP Group has been successful in applying for an extension to adjust.
“We believe they should pay back-pay during the extension time while they’re getting their books ready as (fellow hire company) Labour Solutions Australia is doing at Beef City,” Mr Weston said.
NH Foods Oakey Beef Exports was contacted for comment.
Food Industry People Group General Manager Brad Seagrott was contacted, but declined to comment.
