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Stockmen dealt pay by the day
17 Nov 2003
Industrial relations consultant Paul Houlihan has just negotiated a new pay deal covering workers on seven beef stations owned by Heytesbury Holdings. Mr Houlihan argued that no-one would know if the workers on Top End cattle stations are labouring four or 12 hours a day. So instead of being paid by the hour, they will now be paid by the day.
The Heytesbury Holdings properties extend from the east Kimberley region into the Barkly Tablelands. They're all vast stations and it's very difficult for employees and management to know what hours people are actually working, said Mr Houlihan.
The non-union agreement recognises the impossibility of supervising 120 workers on these huge NT and WA properties. The new deal includes a 10 per cent cash bonus to workers who stay the whole March-to-November mustering season, to encourage the retention of skilled stockmen, fencers, bore workers and mechanics.
The station workers voted to support the agreement in secret ballots. The deal includes seven weeks' annual leave and recognises that they hardly ever receive overtime and the hours of their working day are not fixed.
The Australian, 17/11/03, page 2.
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