News

VOTE NO! To Coal Services Enterprise Bargaining Agreement

CSPU-NSW along with the Nurses Association met with Coal Services (CS) last Friday 23^rd August 2024.

During the meeting CS advised they had met with the Board at the last meeting and had progressed the “Site Allowance” claim advising it would apply to Nurses predominantly and only after a 4-hour period of being at site. Members other than nurses would not qualify for this allowance that has gone from $40 down to $30 per hour so a decline from the current agreement. This was the only so called concession that had been made since they made their last offer prior to the board meeting last month.

CS then proceeded to advise they were finalising the DRAFT Enterprise Agreement for the bargaining representatives to look at this week before proceeding with an access period this Thursday 28^th September prior to a VOTE period from Friday 6^th September to Friday 13^th September 2024.

The CPSU-NSW advised CS that members have clearly advised their Union that there are outstanding issues with the current draft that do not meet their expectations such as:

• 1% Cap on CPI adjustments each year over the proposed four-year agreement
• TRP members having to fund their own Superannuation Guarantee Contribution (SGC)
• Remote Area FBT Concessions (Only if they can accommodate any associated costs)

CS responded that they had taken this to the board, but the board advised that the offer at present is to their satisfaction and proceed to the vote as no more concessions would be made.

At the recent CPSU-NSW ALL SITE member meetings it was a “Unanimously Vote NO” to the offer that had been placed on the table to date. Since those meetings nothing has changed except the site allowance declining from $40 down to $30 and the need to be on site for 4-hours or more.

CSPU-NSW advised they would recommend a NO VOTE to its members and that placing a cap on wages and forcing members to pay their own Superannuation was an unacceptable offer.

CS acknowledged the CPSU-NSW and advised the board indicated if the NO VOTE was successful then the back pay would be removed from the offer if we go back to the negotiation table.

Members, this is where we draw a line in the sand and put the threat of the board to the test by supporting each other by “VOTING NO” to ensure a fair and equitable agreement is in play for each and everyone of us and not let CS divide those on a TRP against those who are not. Let’s send a clear message to CS and “VOTE NO” to the offer that has been tabled.

Please display this notice on Notice Boards and send to a no member so that they know the CPSU-NSW supports and advises its members to VOTE NO to the agreement put to you on 13^th September.