Australians’ appetite for fresh, gourmet-style pasta meals has played well for AMWU members who are enjoying a new union agreement on the back of solid growth at a Melbourne food manufacturer.
The 14 maintenance workers at General Mills’ who service the machines pumping out delicious pasta meals will be tucking into pay rises of 10.25 per cent over the three years.
The members also secured a raise in allowance rates.
AMWU State Secretary Steve Dargavel said the union had built up a positive working relationship with the local management of the US-owned multinational following difficult bargaining three years ago.
The goodwill locally flowed from the dedication of the AMWU members to their work.
“The site is growing, and there are new machines as the business produces more Latina Fresh specialist pasta and meal products,” he said.
“Our members are a good bunch of guys, very proud of their work and prepared to go hard at it – they have the respect of their employer and it showed in the negotiations, which went well.”
Organiser Corey Bray said it had been great to walk into the factory as members voted up the deal unanimously.
Delegate Wolfgang Wahl said the AMWU had been able to win extra benefits for maintenance workers after the company did an earlier deal with its factory workforce.
“We do have a good work crew, prepared to go above and beyond the call to do last-minute overtime, and help run out extra lines when they are needed,” he said.
“There’s good faith on both sides and our agreement will be productive for everyone.”