PN coal members say ‘no’ to company EA

Members at Pacific National Coal have voted overwhelming against the company’s enterprise agreement.

The company put its version of the agreement to the membership, despite the Loco Division and members making it clear they were determined to achieve an agreement which met the concerns / claims as set by the members.

85 per cent of employees who participated in the vote (almost 80 per cent of workers) voted against the agreement.

Voting closed today at midday.

Loco Division Secretary Bob Hayden said he’s glad that members didn’t settle for the company’s EA.

“It’s great that the membership have voted ‘no’ and are willing to hold out until they get a fair deal,” Bob Hayden said.

“The agreement the company put to the membership was doomed from the first place as it didn’t meet a number of the important claims which members had made clear had to be resolved.

“We’ll be working with the membership over the coming weeks to plan where we go from here, with our Protected Industrial Ballot opening today (the 18th December) the very same day members voted against the company proposed agreement.

‘The company was hoping that a $1000 yes vote bonus would do the trick, but the membership has proven that they’re willing to stand up for their rights and do what it takes to get a proper agreement.

“It’s a fantastic outcome and show of unity for and by the workers at PN Coal.”

See the RTBU’s press release on the vote here