North West rail services between Mount Isa and Townsville are expected to be affected when Aurizon workers take a 24 hour strike, in response to lack of momentum in the Enterprise Agreement negotiations.
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North West rail corridor Aurizon workers at Mount Isa, Cloncurry and Hughenden depots will stop work for “Protected Industrial Action” today (Monday 21 January) in a bid to bring forward stalled wage and condition negotiations.
This is in response to the Bulk Enterprise Agreement negotiations which are being held in Townsville.
Workers have reported that negotiations have been moving very slowly with management showing no real commitment in trying to reach an agreement in principle, while at the same time not agreeing to back pay employees once an agreement has been reached.
The industrial action will disrupt a number of train services during the twenty four hour period, as well as the following week while an overtime ban will be in place.
Negotiations commenced on 13 September 2018 with a number of meetings being held with little progress being achieved.
The last meeting was conducted on 19 December 2018 when Aurizon refused to meet with Unions to continue the negotiations until a time that suits them sometime in February 2019.
The company refused the Unions requests to meet at an earlier date to try progress the matter in a timely manner which was part of the reason that has triggered the industrial action.
Unions are calling on Aurizon to recommence negotiations and to bargain in good faith as soon as possible. Morale throughout the Aurizon workforce is at an all-time low as the company continues to treat their workforce with contempt as the union try to negotiate a fair deal for the workers involved.
The Aurizon Stuart Bulk Wagon and Locomotive Rollingstock Maintenance employees also participated in industrial action on Friday 18 January.
Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
