Workers returned to EG Green & Sons’ Harvey-based abattoir this week as the beef producer resumed operations on a five-day-week roster.
Production was halted on August 12 after revelations the company was in financial difficulties and could not service a debt of $45 million.
A company announcement to staff last week said: “The intention is to kill on Wednesday and bone Thursday but this is yet to be confirmed. You will be advised if you are required to start work by Tuesday August 29.
“All other employees will remain on paid leave until further notice expected to be during the course of the week.
“Employees who have insufficient leave entitlements or credits will continue to be paid. This payment will be debited against future leave.”
Acting WA branch secretary of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union, Graeme Haynes, said he had met with the company and the administrator about the means by which workers would return to work.
He said that, ideally, the union would like the abattoir to return to its original two shift, seven-day roster rather than the revised operating arrangements approved by the administrators.
“The cattle and the finance available to buy cattle, which is restricted by the administrators, provides insufficient stock to make a seven-day operation available,” Mr Haynes told WA Business News.
“We have an EBA with the company that staff be selected based on their competency and length of service.”
Mr Haynes said between 300 and 350 of the union’s members would return to work on Wednesday.
“It is touch and go at the moment but we would hope it would go back to a full seven-day operation.”