The Transport Workers Union called a ‘stop work’ meeting yesterday in Singleton to discuss stalled pay and conditions negotiations with mining contractor Orica Explosives.
Most of the workers involved in the dispute are employed by Orica as truck drivers or shot firers at mining operations throughout the Hunter Valley of NSW.
According to the Singleton Argus, in a recent vote, 90 per cent of Orica’s workforce rejected the company’s recent Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) proposal to reduce work hours.
“A proposed reduction in working hours is the biggest sticking point and could lead to some workers losing up to $10,000 per annum,” the Argus reports.
“It is a major change that really affects our members earning capacity,” TWU Northern NSW sub-branch secretary Mick Forbes told the Argus.
“Our members didn’t get a pay increase during the boom, only what was agreed to in the old EBA and during this time Orica made a lot of money. Now the boom is over they are taking money from us.”
Besides a reduction in rostered working hours, Orica is also trying to reduce the workers annual leave entitlements, Forbes told the Argus.
Hunter Valley lead TWU delegate Scott Leighton says that he and his workmates are simply seeking a safe and fair agreement, but the company is not listening.
“They have refused to compromise at all and have made it very difficult for us to meet at worker friendly times so that is why we are meeting today,” he said.
“We are not asking for the world; we just want an agreement that protects our jobs, allows us to provide for our families and to come home safely at night.”
A Orica spokesperson says the company is disappointed that members of the Transport Workers Union in the Hunter Valley have not accepted Orica’s Enterprise Agreement offer in the most recent ballot.
“Orica is committed to continuing discussions with its employees with the aim of finalising an agreement.”
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