The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) has accused The Bloomfield Group of “locking out” its workforce at Rix’s Creek, northwest of Singleton.
But, the company claims it is more of a safety measure due to the current protected industrial action taking place at the site.
MEU officials asserted the stance, which they called an “emotional overreaction”, was in response to its members rejecting Bloomfield’s enterprise agreement (EA).
It’s understood employees overwhelmingly rebuffed the mining operation’s EA, with 92.6% of them voting it down.
“When the parties met last week, we brought a revised position… in an effort to resolve the dispute,” MEU Rix’s Creek Lodge president Michael Hill said.
“However, the company refused to shift on a single point.
“This lockout isn’t anything but Bloomfield’s hurt pride.
“Our members came to the table prepared to negotiate.
“But, Bloomfield’s response was to slam the door shut and lock them out.”
The Hunter Valley-based workers have been striking since October after 10 months of negotiations stalled on key issues, according to the MEU.
Mr Hill said the company’s most recent conduct highlighted it was driven by emotion rather than reason.
“Instead of a considered response after their agreement went down in flames, Bloomfield has doubled down,” he explained.
“They’ve taken it personally.
“And, they have decided to punish the workforce for daring to reject a bad deal.
“It’s the same ‘starve them out’ strategy we’ve seen from day one.
“However, these miners won’t be bullied, they’ll stand as long as it takes to get a fair deal.
“We want Bloomfield to lift the lockout and return to the bargaining table with a genuine offer that respects the workforce who’s built their business.”
The company was quick to respond to the MEU’s allegations, stating its priority was the safety and wellbeing of all of its employees.
On 4 November, the union notified Rix’s Creek Pty Ltd of its members’ intention to take protected industrial action in the form of:
- Multiple two-hour stoppages from 6.30am on Monday 10 November, backing onto one another until Friday 14 November at 2.30pm
- Followed by further stoppages of work of four-hour and five-minute duration ceasing on Saturday 15 November at 6.50am
“Recently, during notified periods of protected industrial action, MEU members have returned to work without prior notice,” a Bloomfield spokesperson said.
“Rix’s Creek management is concerned that safety may be compromised if employees unexpectedly come to work at random times throughout a week that they have previously communicated they will be absent.
“As a result, we’ve taken employer response action in the form of a lockout of those participating in protected industrial action.
“It will remain in place for the same period of time as outlined in the MEU’s notice and therefore will not impact MEU members any more than they have already committed to.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue our ongoing discussions with the MEU in order to reach agreement on a new EA at Rix’s Creek Mine, with meetings held today (Wednesday) and scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday).”
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