TWU members face three day lockout as enterprise negotiations stall
Fifty-nine delivery drivers have been shut out of concrete maker Hymix in Queensland as both sides of a protracted enterprise negotiation take protected industrial action.
The union members, representing just under 75 per cent of the drivers employed, conducted a two hour stoppage from 5am today. Hymix then advised them they would not be required for the remainder of the working week.
The latest flare-up comes after a like-for-like stop work and lockout at the end of January.
General transport coordinator for the Transport Workers Union (TWU) in Queensland Graham Garrett says there has been little advance in the negotiations since then.
“Our members are asking for parity with Hymix workers in New South Wales,” he says.
“Hymix is refusing to pay Queensland workers the same as workers in NSW for doing exactly the same job.”
Allowance for rostered days off and a back-dating of the agreement to when the last deal expired are also on the union wish-list.
The company says its offer of a guaranteed 3 per cent increase in pay every year for the three-year life of the deal is “more than fair and reasonable”.
Hymix has informed all of its customers that delays may occur, and is working with other suppliers – including sister company Hanson – to ensure that urgent needs are catered for.
The union is conducting “report back” meetings on Sunday to consider further protected industrial action.