PN Terminal Operators lock in three-year agreement

Terminal Operators at Pacific National received nearly six months’ backpay after locking in a new three-year Enterprise Agreement just before Christmas.

The deal secured a 3% increase to the base rate for each year, and was backdated to 30 June 2022.

National Director of Organising and National Vice President Leanne Holmes said the members backed the agreement with a 65% YES vote after a six months of negotiations and a series of depot meetings around the country.

“It was gruelling negotiation, but in the end we achieved a very solid result for members,” Leanne said.

“I’d like thank all the Delegates and the Negotiating Team for their hard work and determination, and all members for their patience as we worked through the details.”

The agreement also achieved:

» An increase to the APM Night Multiplier from 1.18 to 1.265 from the commencement of the EA;

» A further increase to the Night Multiplier from 29 June 2025 to 1.3, which guarantees that rate into the next EA;

» A $1,000 bonus in the first year for those that work less than 15% night work, plus a $500 bonus paid in years two and three;

» A $500 bonus paid yearly for three years for those who work less than 25% but more than 15% of night work;

» Simplifying the Classification structure to remove wage increase hindrances from June 2023;

» Updating the Parental Leave clause include a 12-week parental leave entitlement for primary care givers;

» Updating the Domestic Violence Leave clause to reflect the new standard 10-day entitlement;

» Enhancing the Redundancy Clause to allow for retraining in the case of Automation;

» Introducing an Employee Representative Committee (ERC);

» Additional protections and wage outcomes for introduction of the Flying Crew concept; and

» Additional full-time employees to cover existing shortfalls and facilitate the Flying Crew concept.

“This package was been achieved without the loss of a single entitlement or condition, and will result in the creation of approximately 40 full time PN employee positions,” Leanne said.

NOW FOR THE ASSETS & INFRASTRUCTURE EA

While PN Terminal Operators were able to get their EA knocked over, it’s been a more difficult process for members waiting on a new PN Assets & Infrastructure EA.

Leanne said the combined RTBU/ AMWU Bargaining Team has been hoping to get an in-principle agreement before Christmas, but intransigence from PN management had made that impossible.

“The Negotiating Team put forward several proposals seeking to get a fair and reasonable deal, but unfortunately PN engaged in delaying tactics in order to kick the can down the road into 2023.

“We’re ready to move forward, but we won’t wait forever. The onus is now on PN management to get its act together and negotiate in good faith on this EA.”