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The South Eastern Times : May 23rd 2017
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NEWS 3 Mill pay deal dismissed J.L. ‘FRED’ SMITH fred@setimes.com.au THE Fair Work Commission has decided to dismiss an enterprise agreement covering 250 workers at the Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill. This is despite lawyers for the company telling the commission the viability of the Millicent Mill could be put in jeopardy. Commissioner David Gregory handed down his findings at a sitting in Melbourne last week. According to mill insiders, it is likely the enterprise bargaining process may now have to go back to “square one”. On reviewing the application for the new deal, the FWC discovered the Notice of Employee Representational Rights given to the employees did not contain the correct telephone number for the FWC’s Information line. Mr Gregory heard evidence from lawyers for KCA and the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union on the appli- cation at a hearing in March. The commissioner noted in his judgement that KCA had advised him in its submission the business was facing significant competitive pressure. “KCA said the enterprise agreement, if approved, could assist that situation by improving the cost structure of the business,” Mr Gregory said. “This outcome would in turn enhance the ongoing job prospects of the existing employees. “It also indicated it was concerned that if the enterprise agreement was not approved, and the process of making and having the agreement approved had to be recommenced, the CFMEU ‘might run a no campaign’ which could jeopardise the likelihood of the enterprise agreement being approved in a future ballot of employees. “If this occurred, it could in its submission ultimately jeopardise ‘the viability of the enterprise’. “The CFMEU stated the business conditions confronting the business at this time are not relevant to the FWC’s obligation to hear and determine the matter in accordance with its statutory obligations.” The FWC acknowledged that it is unfortunate and regrettable that approval by the FWC of the enterprise agreement has been derailed by an inadvertent mistake, despite the fact that no issues have been found to exist in regard to satisfaction, with the requirements of the better off overall test. KCA Millicent Mill manager Scott Whicker was disappointed the enterprise agreement, which was voted through by a clear majority of employees, had been cancelled due to a minor administrative error. “The enterprise agreement was negotiated in good faith and would have achieved outcomes supporting our employees and the future of the Millicent mill,” he said. “This latest development has the potential to undo that.” The 250 blue collar and white collar members of the Millicent sub-branch of the CFMEU Pulp and Paper Division took part in a secret ballot in November and the majority backed the new enterprise agreement. According to the 55 page document lodged with the FWC, the new enterprise agreement at the KCA Millicent Mill would include a 2pc salary rise, retention of many existing benefits and a two-tier wage system for new employees. CFMEU and KCA officials have been in discussions since the beginning of 2015 with the previous three year enterprise bargaining agreement expiring almost two years ago on June 30, 2015. The last pay rise for workers took place on July 1, 2014. The Millicent Mill opened 57 years ago and its workforce peaked at 1000 in the 1970s. There are currenly about 450 KCA employees and contractors at the site. Saturday WINNING NUMBERS 10 11 33 6 29 15 Saturday, May 20th, 2017 Numbers SUPPS 5 25 IN BRIEF Business awards date set THE date has been confirmed for the annual outstanding business awards ceremony of the Millicent Business Community Association. The function will be held on August 12 at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre. New MBCA chairperson Lee Morgan said some surprises may be in store for the function. Mr Morgan said the call for award nominations would be made next month with judging in July. Academic achievement THE achievements of former Millicent resident Dr Susie Chant have been highlighted in a two page feature in the latest University of Adelaide quarterly magazine. Dr Chant is the academic manager of the global culinary institution Le Cordon Bleu, a lecturer with the University of Adelaide’s Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre and a member of its Food Values Research Group. CALLING ALL WOMEN IN BUSINESS... Are you a leader, an innovator, a mentor, or a dedicated employee making a difference? If so, it’s time to share your story and earn some recognition for a job well done. Nominations are open for the 2017 Influential Women in Business Awards, celebrating and recognising the achievements of women from the Green Triangle region. 2017 Award Categories Business Woman of the Year Sponsored by ANZ Best Business (over 5 employees) Sponsored by DeGaris Lawyers Best Small Business (5 and under employees) Sponsored by Ray White Keatley Entrepreneur of the Year (New Business Start-up) Sponsored by Metro Bakery & Café Employee of the Year Sponsored by Redgum Country DEVASTATION: Millicent Country Fire Service volunteers at the scene of a two vehicle crash at Mullins Corner, north of Millicent on Saturday. The collision occurred at 4.45pm at the Princes Highway and Bypass Road (Millicent Agricultural Drive) T-junction. The scene was also attended by police and the SA Ambulance Service. Wattle Range CFS group officer Fred Stent said two people were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Community Leader Sponsored by City of Mount Gambier Picture: GRAHAM MELLOR PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD NOMINATIONS CLOSE 25 June 2017. Nomination and information is available at www.wibrd.org.au/ awards 716044 NEW LUNCH MENU 9 different meals at $9.90 each 55 George Street, Millicent 8733 2242 www.thesoutheasterntimes.com.au $9.90 9For Drink Specials every weekend! $5 BACARDI OAKHEART & MIX $5 BASE SPIRITS $4 $5 FLAVOURED VODKA & MIX $5 VODKA & MIX PARTY SHOTS The South Eastern Times, Tuesday, May 23, 2017 - 3 714662 708592
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