Teys Australia wants union to “get real” and negotiate to protect 800 manufacturing jobs

TEYS Australia chief executive Brad Teys said he was "disappointed' over Friday’s (May 31) 24-hour strike by the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) at the firm's Beenleigh, Queensland plant. He called on the union to negotiate rather than strike in the "middle of negotiations" for a new workplace agreement.

 

Mr Teys said today's union claims that workers are being offered less pay was a smokescreen, as nothing has been finalised.

“All of our staff are paid – and will continue to be paid – above award rates. What we can no longer sustain are outdated and unrealistic employment terms that make us uncompetitive,” Mr Teys said.

Mr Teys said these included 50 percent leave loading, penalty rates within ordinary hours, forced payment for idle time and increased workers compensation benefits above that prescribed by legislation.

Teys’ workers, he said, are even mandated an extra 'Butcher’s Picnic' public holiday which is never actually observed but requires penalty rates to be paid.

“The AMIEU seems determined to remain in the 70s, refusing to acknowledge the reality that unless things change there will be no jobs," Mr Teys said.

“Australians understand that the workplace model of decades ago, where unions told you what you could and couldn’t do, and what you would and wouldn’t pay, is gone.”

Mr Teys said he was baffled by the union’s claim that the plant’s profit over nine years of $38 million meant that the company could afford to bow to the union’s demands.

“This equals an average annual profit of $4.2 million on a $150 million asset base. That’s a 2.8 percent return, decreasing to a one per cent return over the past four years.”

He pointed out that a bank would have provided a four percent return with no risk - even at record low interest rates.

“Does the union want us to lose money?" he asked. "It’s weird logic. If we are not making a profit there will be no jobs and who wins then?”

Mr Teys said the forward view was one of drought, more hard times for producers and distorted markets.

“We must change the way we operate. We must reform or there will be no beef processing industry.

“We call on the union to stop the power games, put their members’ interests first and get back to the negotiating table.”

www.teysaust.com.au

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