AURIZON NSW COAL UPDATE: RETURN ON AVAILABILITY PROPOSAL WITHDRAWN  

HISTORY 

We are pleased to report this matter has finally been settled after an extended dispute. The matter was first raised prior to the negotiations of the current Aurizon Coal NSW Enterprise Agreement 2021. Followed by a dispute notification lodged in May 2022 and another in August 2023. 

OUTCOME 

Through member’s persistent engagement with the process, the RTBU Locomotive Division and Aurizon were able to reach an agreed position. This month, Aurizon formally advised the Locomotive Division that it has “decided to not proceed with the implementation of a change to common practice relating to return on availability”. 

The outcome is a result of the Locomotive Division and Aurizon now having an increased understanding of our respective interpretations of the Lift-Up/Lay-Back (LULB) provisions. While Aurizon have agreed to withdraw their proposal, the parties are still not in agreement regarding the limitations imposed by these provisions. Aurizon has indicated its intentions to address this matter at the next round of Enterprise Bargaining. 

Without your engagement as members and your consultative committee, it would not have been possible to stop Aurizon in their tracks. 

WASH UP 

On the back of constructive communication in the latest dispute meeting, Aurizon has made a commitment to building a relationship based on trust and integrity. We support and look forward to this commitment.

Congratulations to the members that remained in solidarity with their consultative committee on this dispute. Whilst this is a good result at this point, we ask that you remain vigilant. Through your support and engagement, the RTBU Locomotive Division can represent you and ensure that your working conditions and conditions of employment are being adhered to. 

As this dispute has now been resolved, we expect that no employee will be requested to ‘Return on Availability’ in the manner described by the now withdrawn proposal. 

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