Workers at the Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill have recently received a weekly pay rise of up to $40. All employees at the 61-year-old plant have received a 1.75% pay rise back-dated to January 1.

It means the lowest paid mill employee will have their weekly pay packet boosted by around $20. Meanwhile, talks are continuing between unions and Kimberly-Clark Australia management regarding a new pay deal at the Millicent Mill.

The previous two-year enterprise bargaining agreement expired at the end of last year. It delivered a 3% pay rise and $1000 incentive payment to just over 300 white and blue collar KCA workers.

The total workforce of the mill numbers around 400 with the balance being either KCA staff or contractors. The interests of workers at the Millicent Mill are represented by three different unions with the largest being the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union Pulp and Papermakers Division with 270 members.

The SE Voice approached KCA management about the status of the pay negotiations and a statement was issued. “The existing enterprise agreement will continue to govern the conditions of employment, as negotiations are ongoing with the union and our employees,” the KCA spokesperson said.

The mill achieved record production levels mid-way through last year at the height of panic-buying of toilet paper prompted by the COVID pandemic.