Murray Goulburn staff to walk off job at Rochester

A SPOKESPERSON for Murray Goulburn said the company remains open to further discussions with the union until an agreement is finalised. 

"As previously stated, Devondale Murray Goulburn has tabled an offer which we believe represents a fair outcome for our employees - one which delivers wage increases above inflation, protects current entitlements and supports the co-operative to become more sustainable in the future," the spokesperson said.   

"At this stage, Devondale Murray Goulburn’s key priority is to protect the business and the interests of its farmers from the impact of the ongoing industrial action from the CEPU and AMWU."

EARLIER: 

MURRAY Goulburn staff at the company's milk processing plant at Rochester will take part in an industrial action tomorrow in support of claims for a new workplace agreement. 

The Electrical Trades Union is organising the stop work action. 

"The protected industrial action includes a ban on overtime and call backs for the next six months or until agreement is reached on the terms of the new workplace agreement," ETU's Peter Mooney said. 

"The company has also been notified of a 24-hour stoppage of work to take place on Friday 4th July.  

"Our members have further endorsed the unions to notify the company of further stoppages of work if agreement is not reached on the new workplace agreement.

"The commencement of this protected industrial action follows six months of negotiations between the company and the unions that have not resulted in agreement being reached on the new workplace agreement."

Sticking points in the agreement include MG's claim to reduce members' redundancy entitlements, its offer for wage increases below the current CPI figure of 2.8 per cent and its refusal to engage more local apprentices. 

The Bendigo Advertiser is seeking comment from Murray Goulburn.