TWU members meet in Singleton

For the past 12 months the union has been fighting to strike a fair agreement for their members, who work for Orica at various mining operations around the Hunter Valley.

Many of them live in the Singleton Local Government Area and are either employed as truck drivers or shot firers.

Orica is the largest provider of commercial explosives and blasting systems to the mining and infrastructure markets in Australia.

The company’s proposal which they have refused to compromise on was rejected by a “whopping 90 per cent of the workforce” when recently voted upon.

A proposed reduction in working hours is the biggest sticking point and could lead to some workers losing up to $10,000 per annum.

“It is a major change that really affects our members earning capacity,” TWU Northern NSW sub-branch secretary Mick Forbes said.

“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, he says.

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 told The Argus.

“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.”