PN Bulk and Coal – Daytime Layback Advice

Your union has heard concerning reports that PN are alleging that the Locomotive Division and the Company are engaged in discussions about establishing an alternative practice for layback advice during the daytime period.

This is simply not the case.

Whilst PN have approached the union to state their concerns about the workability of the provision, there have been no discussions about establishing an alternative practice or condition, or the union and PN coming to some form of understanding. 

The EA is very clear about how the Call Time Advice must operate for layback operations in the daytime period. 

Bulk – Clause B10.10: 

If the Employee’s shift is altered by way of lift-up or lay-back, the Employee’s call time will be based on: 

1. (i) In the case of Lift-Up: the Employee’s amended start time (Lift-Up clause B11). 
2. (ii) In the case of Lay-Back: In the Day period, the Employee’s original start time; and in the Night Period, the Employee’s amended start time (Lay-Back Clause B11). 

An Employee’s start time cannot be altered once the advice call has been made (emphasis added) 

Coal – Clause C15: 

If the Employee’s shift is altered by way of lay back the set call time will be based on: 

1. (a) In the Day Period, the employee’s original start time. 
2. (b) In the Night period, the employee’s amended start time (Lay-back clause C13). 

An Employee’s sign on time cannot be altered once the advice call has been made (emphasis added) 

We encourage all members to carefully read the terms of the EA and ensure that PN is complying with its workplace requirements. If PN do wish to propose an alternative arrangement or practice, then they should actually approach your union instead of insinuating that discussions are occurring. Any discussions would naturally include your workplace representatives to ensure that the views of members are heard. However, we understand that members bargained hard for the call time advice provision and see real value in the condition as it provides certainty throughout the day. PN agreed to this wording and promoted the benefit of the clause throughout the EA roadshow. It is therefore very disappointing to see them backtrack from the clear terms of the EA. 

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