Farmers look to retain piece rate work despite union push for minimum award wages

Farmers are pushing back against union moves to see minimum wage rates granted to fruit pickers and seasonal workers.

The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) announced on Wednesday that it would apply to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to have the horticulture award amended to ensure workers received the minimum casual wage of $24.80 an hour.

AWU national secretary Daniel Walton has told the ABC that growing evidence of systemic underpayments through the use of shady labour-hire firms showed minimum conditions for workers…