Week 3 Update: PN NSW Coal and Bulk EA Negotiations

Discussions with the Company and Your Negotiating Team continued this week in a continued effort to resolve outstanding issues, protect current conditions and entitlements and wherever possible improve current conditions.

As reported last week we continued to negotiate with Pacific National this week on the 22nd and 23rd November in an effort to resolve the remaining outstanding issues between the parties, this being one of the principles set by Members and Delegates.

At the close of this week’s meetings on the 23 November, the parties agreed that as significant progress had been made that we should allocate 2 further days next week in an effort to reach in-principle agreement, subject to drafting and proof reading by Delegates.

Subject to the drafting it would seem all Bulk (Part B), Coal (Part C) and Admin/Salaried (Part D) specific conditions have been finalised with all current conditions being retained.

The Parties have agreed that Your Negotiating Team should get a working draft of the Agreement by COB Monday 27th and meet (without the Company) on the 28th to review the wording/document and a reduced negotiating team (including 2 Bulk and 2 Coal Delegates) would then meet with the Company on the 29th in an effort to resolve the remaining Part A items.

The remaining outstanding Part A matters relate to Scope, Contract of Employment, Disciplinary process, DOO Attachment, minimum Accommodation standards/requirements and ERC Terms of Reference/wording.

Should it be required, we will seek to schedule a conference in the Fair Work Commission to work through any outstanding matters on either the 30th November or 1st December 2017.

Whilst we may have reached in-principle agreement on a number of items, any final agreement will always be subject to wording, the final full agreement and membership endorsement.

We continue to be hopeful that we will be able to resolve all outstanding issues next week and look forward to continued discussions with the Company.

If you have any questions about the negotiations, please contact your Delegate or Organiser.

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