Qld: MP says union vote is last chance for meatworks

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2001
Qld: MP says union vote is last chance for meatworks

BRISBANE, Dec 11 AAP - A major Queensland meatworks could close permanently if workers
voted against an enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) this week, a state MP said today.

Independent Member for Nanango Dorothy Pratt told state parliament today this Friday's
vote by workers at Kilcoy Pastoral Company's meatworks, north of Brisbane, would be crucial
to the plant's future.

About 340 workers at the meatworks were stood down six weeks ago due to problems the
company said had been brought on by a livestock shortage and slowdown in international
markets.

Ms Pratt said an initial vote by workers rejecting a new proposed EBA had been an error
in judgment and a blow to the community which relied heavily on the plant's economic spinoffs.

"To prolong that error would be negligence," Ms Pratt said.

"This is it - the workers must realise their future is in their hands."

Australian Meat Industry Employees Union spokesman Ross Richardson, who represents
about 190 of the stood-down workers, said the union would be recommending a "no" vote
on Friday.

Mr Richardson said the EBA contained up to 25 per cent cuts to pay and unrealistic workloads.

He said not even the company believed a "yes" vote on Friday would mean the meatworks
would reopen.

Mr Richardson said he had received a letter from company chairman Ian Kennedy which
said a "yes" vote would "not necessarily signal an immediate reopening of Kilcoy Pastoral
Company".

The letter also said a "yes" vote would need to go to the company board and a reopening
would depend on livestock availability, international markets and the company's ability
to control financial losses to manageable levels.

AAP pjo/sc/jnb

KEYWORD: MEATWORKS

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