CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Some GrainCorp handlers in New South Wales are planning impromptu hour-long strikes over the next 30 days, just as harvest ramps up, Reuters reported.
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) said workers will give as little as 10 minutes warning, and plan to take action at peak work periods.
The AWU said about 200 workers were participating in the work stoppages. GrainCorp said less than 100 had voted in the strike ballot and it has more than 1,000 grain handlers in New South Wales, Reuters reported.
GrainCorp said it is monitoring the situation and working to ensure harvest can continue at its sites. Wheat, barley and canola harvesting is coming into full swing and will continue until January.
The strikers are not yet threatening grain supply, Reuters said, but it will be a headache for farmers.
The AWU is asking for a three-year deal that would increase pay by 6% in the first year, 5% in the second and 4% in the third.
GrainCorp said it had offered 6% in the first year, 5% in the second and 3% in the third.
