Members of the largest union at the Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill have voted strongly in favour of an increased pay offer.

The committee representing the interests of around 240 blue collar and white collar workers had recommended acceptance of a pay rise of 9.5% over the coming three years.

This equates to a 4% rise in the first year, 3.5% in the following 12 months and then a further 2%.

The new Enterprise Agreement also outlines the pay and conditions to be provided to any newcomers to the mill’s workforce.

The parties had been deadlocked in negotiations for a new Enterprise Agreement for over two years since the previous one expired at the end of 2020.

Craig O’Connor who heads the Millicent sub-branch of the Pulp and Papermakers division of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union was pleased the rank-and-file membership had endorsed his committee’s recommendation via the secret ballot.

He said the acceptance vote was well over 60% and had been announced on Wednesday night.

Mr O’Connor said a number of meetings had been held by the CFMEU to explain the new Enterprise Agreement and he acknowledged the assistance of federal officials from the union headquarters in Melbourne.

“It provides for the pay rise to be back-dated to July 1, 2022,” Mr O’Connor said.

“The local CFMEU branch committee is there to represent the interests of all.

“When it comes to changes to the Enterprise Agreement, some will like them and some will not.

“Now the Enterprise Agreement has been endorsed by the CFMEU membership, it will go to the Fair Work Commission for ratification.

“It will be assessed by a Commissioner and this usually takes two or three weeks.

“If it is in order, the Commissioner will endorse the Enterprise Agreement and it takes effect seven days later.

“The whole process takes about a month.”

The remainder of the mill’s 400-strong workforce are either members of two smaller blue collar unions, KCA staff or contractors.

It has long been the policy of KCA management to refrain from extensive public comment while wage negotiations are under way.

Now the Enterprise Agreement has been endorsed by the CFMEU, the Sydney headquarters of KCA provided a statement to The SE Voice.

“Kimberly-Clark Australia is pleased to confirm that a majority of employees at our Millicent Mill have voted in favour of a new enterprise agreement last week,” said Lucy Jackson who is the KCA manager of communications and government affairs.

“This is an important step for the Millicent Mill team and representative of our ongoing commitment to our people and delivering the best Kleenex and Viva products that Australians love.”