In another blow to the beleaguered sugar giant, over 92% of AWU members in Wilmar Sugar's milling operations in North Queensland have voted in favour of taking industrial action to advance their campaign for a fair pay rise.
The successful protected action ballot was conducted between Monday and Friday this week and involved hundreds of Wilmar's workers.
Because this ballot was successful, union members will now have the option to take legally protected strike action at Wilmar's sugar mills.
AWU Queensland Branch Secretary Stacey Schinnerl said that this is a clear sign to Wilmar that their workers are not going to accept another poor deal.
"After rejecting Wilmar's bad deal last year, workers have once again sent a message to management that they aren't going to cop another one," Ms Schinnerl said.
"North Queenslanders are not going to accept being shortchanged by a multinational corporation like Wilmar – this is a line in the sand for the entire region."
This successful ballot will mean that Wilmar can expect significant industrial action during the crush season this year, which is the period where sugar cane is transported to mills to be crushed into sugar.
This is Wilmar's peak earning season.
Ms Schinnerl said that workers are ready to hit Wilmar where it hurts.
"This is the first time in a very long time where there will be industrial action disrupting Wilmar's peak earning season," Ms Schinnerl said.
"Wilmar can avoid this action by coming back to the table with a fair offer."
Ms Schinnerl said that Wilmar's shareholders need to take a closer look at the management of the company.
"Wilmar executives and their shareholders need to reflect on whether our members will settle for their next offer if they want these mills to keep operating," Ms Schinnerl said.
"Our message to them is simple – we know you are making record profits and we know that you can give your workers the fair pay rise that they deserve."
AWU members have been meeting with cane growers and community members across North Queensland since November last year, and many have shared their frustrations with this company.
