WORKERS at Mount Gambier’s OneFortyOne Jubilee Highway Sawmill have accepted a new pay deal following enterprise bargaining negotiations.
The union representing timber workers announced the two parties have now reached an agreement at the site, which is the second largest sawmill in Australia.
Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union Greater Green Triangle secretary Brad Coates said workers at the Jubilee sawmill had given the green light to a two year deal on wages and conditions.
He said this would see all existing conditions protected and a modest pay increase based on the June quarter CPI figures.
“The in principle agreement, voted on in a mass meeting of workers at the site last week, will see workers receive 2.7pc in the first year and CPI in the second year up to a maximum of 2.9pc,” the union leader said.
“The terms and conditions in the current enterprise agreement will be maintained.”
But the union official described the increase as disappointing.
“The agreement pay rise was disappointing as CPI is not recognised as an increase, but workers accepted the deal, maintaining all their current conditions for the next two years,” Mr Coates said.
As part of the negotiations, he said workers were calling on the company to reduce its environmental impact.
“The workforce also endorsed a resolution calling on OneFortyOne to implement measures to reduce the sawmill’s use of plastic and to initiate an environmental program to reduce the mill’s carbon footprint,” Mr Coates said.
Moreover, workers are also calling on the company to introduce a well-being program to educate and encourage workers to take up a healthier lifestyle.
OneFortyOne Jubilee Highway Sawmill general manager Paul Hartung yesterday welcomed the finalisation of the agreement.
“We are pleased that OneFortyOne employees at the Jubilee Highway Sawmill have voted to accept the fair and reasonable offer put forward in the enterprise bargaining negotiations,” Mr Hartung said.
“We look forward to working with our employees on significant investment projects and programs over the next few years at the sawmill.”
The sawmill directly employs around 300 people and more than 1000 people indirectly.
OFO plans to spend pour $20m into the site this financial year to drive efficiencies across its production chain.
