PN Coal rostering

 BUYER BEWARE! DON’T BE SOLD A LEMON! 

Last week at the Northern ERC Meeting, the company advised that the GM Coal had taken a new roster proposal to the Board for approval. This announcement followed the previous ERC meeting where our Greta Representative questioned if the company was ever going to do something over their roster as it was fatiguing, and many employees were leaving the company because of it. 

Members would remember the Greta and Port Waratah roster was imposed on members by PN after the matter was taken by the RTBU to the Fair Work Commission. At that time the company ignored members’ concerns and prioritised its budget over its employees. 

They refused to listen then, they refused to listen during EA negotiations and again in the mixed commodities space. Each time the RTBU Locomotive Division and your delegates argued for a decent lifestyle roster- yet on each occasion, PN refused. 

Finally, and only after their hip pocket is hurting from the mass exodus of employees, PN are about to announce a change in direction. 

This may all sound promising, however we all know PN never offers anything without a catch. To date they have also failed to consult on any change or any proposal. 

We have seen instances already where PN take the back door and try and do some dodgy individual flexibility arrangement to avoid the rostering provisions of the enterprise agreement. 

Be Alert & Alarmed 

Some may think any change is better than your current roster, but we must ensure you are not being ripped off. PN has a history of dressing up deals to sound wonderful, only for the reality to be far worse. We encourage members to not rush into any non-union arrangement. Time and time again, PN have proved they can’t be trusted. 

Any proposal needs to be properly consulted with the RTBU and your delegates. Members are strongly encouraged not to get sidetracked with offers of a few dollars to sell off your hard fought rights. Only through strong collective consultation can we ensure a decent roster and maintain provisions that give you work life balance. 

If you have any questions, please speak with your local delegates. 

Download the Newsflash here.