Loco TV – 15 May 2014

In this edition of Loco TV hear the latest on the PN redundancies, My Time, Freightliner negotiations and the Aurizon Coal EA.

Transcript

1.

Pacific National is planning to shed more than 165 jobs from its Intermodal, PNQ, Bulk and Coal businesses – a move the union says appears to be a back-door attempt at casualising the workforce.

Workers and the union have largely been kept in the dark about the redundancies, with the company announcing the job losses for each business separately and weeks apart.

The approach has been seen by many as a deliberate ploy to stop workers and the union from developing a coordinated approach to minimise the impact on employees.

Management has also failed to provide evidence of the need to slash jobs during a time when the forecast for the rail industry is very positive.

The RTBU has lodged a dispute with the Fair Work Commission over the company’s handling of the issue – particularly in the Bulk arm of the business – and requested urgent talks with senior management to ensure the best possible process is put in place for members.

The Loco Division will continue to fight to protect jobs at PN and will keep members as informed as possible throughout this difficult period.

2.

Sydney Trains will begin implementing its ‘My Time’ payment system from the 18 May at select depots throughout the state.

Flemington, Mortdale, Waterfall and Cronulla will be the first to trial the system, with workers at these depots required to use the new machines to swipe on and off at the start and end of their shifts.

However while still in trial phase, workers will continue to compile and be paid from timesheets.

The Loco Division has raised a number of concerns about the system and will be monitoring its introduction very closely.

3.

After nearly 12 months of negotiations which saw workers forced to take protected industrial action and even locked-out of the premises at one stage, the Aurizon NSW Coal enterprise agreement has now been endorsed by the membership.

Congratulations and thanks must go to all members and the union negotiating team who worked tirelessly to ensure workers have ended up with an agreement that protects their wages and conditions.

Almost 70 per cent of workers voted in favour of the EA.

4.

And finally, Negotiations for a new Freightliner enterprise agreement are now underway.