The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is calling on US coal producer Peabody Energy to ends its lockout of its members at the United Wambo Washery.
President Michele O’Neil met with the affected workers in the Hunter Valley on Monday 22 June, appealing to the multinational to return to the bargaining table.
Nineteen individuals remain without pay after the company imposed a two-week expulsion.
It escalated an Enterprise Agreement (EA) dispute with the Mining and Energy Union (MEU), which has been bubbling away since early May.
The Wambo Washery employees took protected industrial action after rejecting Peabody’s offer of annual wage increases of 2.5% and changes to bonus arrangements.
“Locking workers out of their jobs and cutting off their income is an unfair and unreasonable escalation that will just prolong this dispute,” Ms O’Neil said.
“Peabody’s placing unnecessary financial strain on them, which will ripple through families across the region.
“This giant American multinational is trying to drive down the pay and conditions of hardworking Australian workers whose last agreement expired more than 12 months ago.
“When companies attempt to crush their workforce in this way, it highlights the need to change our laws to stop them from abusing their power and taking disproportionate action.
“Currently, workers can take limited, lawful action, however employers can intensify to a full lockout that cuts off their incomes entirely.”
But, Peabody struck back, stating there were two sides to every story.
“We’ve undertaken an extended period of EA negotiations, including 15 formal bargaining meetings, with the MEU for workers at the Wambo Coal Handling Preparation Plant,” a spokesperson said.
“Peabody’s offer remains on the table.
“It’s a fair and competitive package that includes a 13% wage increase over four years, with the annual bonus opportunity remaining unchanged.
“Wambo employees would stay among the highest paid in the region.
“Unfortunately, negotiations have not yet resulted in an agreement.
“The site has experienced more than seven weeks of repeated disruptions, including work stoppages and partial shifts, which have affected the efficient operation of the plant.
“Peabody therefore made the difficult decision to implement a temporary two-week lockout under the Fair Work Act.
“This decision was not taken lightly… and was intended to assist in resolving the current situation in a structured way.
“We remain committed to constructive engagement and will continue our negotiations during the industrial action and lockout period with the bargaining representatives.
“In saying that, Peabody is operating in accordance with Australian law and in good faith throughout this process.”
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