Harvey Beef could win pay vote: union

The state's meatworkers union says it would not be surprised if Harvey Beef workers voted in favour of a new pay deal today, which will cut a third of employee's pay packets by 20 per cent.

Some 240 Harvey Beef workers are currently casting their votes over a new collective agreement with the ballot schedule to close at 4:30pm today.

It is the second time workers have voted on the agreement with some 160 employees sacked after the first ballot rejected the offer.

Secretary of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union Graeme Haynes told WA Business News an indication of how workers voted today will be known at around 5pm.

He added all employees are being escorted to the voting room with the union not allowed to have any contact with workers.

Comment was being sought from Harvey Beef at time of publishing.

Under the new pay deal, 70 per cent of workers will be on the same wages or higher while there will be a reduction for the rest of the employees, Harvey Beef has previously said.

The new pay deal is in a bid to match wages for similar positions at other companies, Harvey Beef claims.

**UPDATED**

Harvey Beef workers have again voted down the collective pay deal.

Mr Haynes told WA Business News that the final vote was 115 to 99.

In a release, Harvey Beef said it has reached agreement with the union to recommend a new collective agreement to employees.

"Under the agreement, Harvey Beef will gain the wage cost parity with its competitors that the company requires to increase its competitiveness," the company said.

"The Agreement will last for two years and some entitlement provisions contained in the previous Agreement will be retained."

The new agreement will be voted on by employees next Wednesday.