Port Kembla Coal Terminal workers resume work

Monday, 27 Feb 2012

It is reported that coal is being loaded again at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal after a weeks-long campaign of industrial action was called off on February 23rd 2012 and employees returned to work.

The industrial action came to an end after a deal was reached between coal terminal management and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union over a new enterprise agreement.

The rolling stoppages shut down the terminal for seven days last week and more action had been planned.

But the deal means almost 100 employees are back at work and coal is again being loaded onto ships which had been waiting offshore.

It also means the threat by freight company Pacific National to stand down 61 Illawarra-based train drivers will not go ahead.

CFMEU district vice president Mr Bob Timbs said terminal management had agreed to a 4.5% pay rise per year for three years, plus job security provisions and the ability for all parts of the agreement to be arbitrated at Fair Work Australia if necessary.

Mr Timbs said that "From the outset, terminal workers themselves have driven this result; from deciding to take industrial action at the ballot through to showing the resolve in striking for their conditions.”

He added that "They offered to help out some of the smaller terminal users who were affected by the strike to avoid undue financial hardship."

Port Kembla Coal Terminal general manager Mr Peter Green welcomed the in-principle agreement and the end to the industrial action. He said he expected the CFMEU leadership would genuinely recommend the deal to members.


(Sourced from www.illawarramercury.com.au)