McCain Foods to meet union over pay dispute in Ballarat factory

McCain Foods is hopeful union discussions will resolve pay disputes before further industrial action hampers production at the Ballarat plant.

Union representatives are expected to meet with McCain on Monday next week ahead of possible strikes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

McCain workers are seeking a 15 per cent pay rise over three years, but McCain integrated supply chain director Graham Harvey said a 10.5 per cent increase, plus other entitlements, was realistic and generous due to the state of the manufacturing sector.

“We have agreed with many of the union’s numerous claims, and increased our pay offer from 9 per cent to 10.5 per cent over three years,” Mr Harvey said.

McCain claimed a moral victory of sorts yesterday when Fair Work Australia deemed Wednesday’s strike action by food production workers of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) unlawful.

More than 300 production employees walked off the job during 24 hours of protected industrial action by maintenance staff.

This was in response to the company’s inability to offer all production staff meaningful work, due to the strike by maintenance workers.