Pacific National was created in 2002 by the merger of companies created by the privatization of freight operations in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland by National Labor and Liberal governments. PN was acquired in 2016 by a consortium of Canadian and Chinese investors, which launched a vast cycle of job cuts to save up to US$300 million by 2018. Under the pretext of improving rail safety, the new agreement allows the introduction of audio and video surveillance devices in locomotive cabs. These devices violate the privacy of workers and are used against those who oppose job cuts and company conditions. The results of the vote on the Enterprise Agreement (EA) published at the K.O. last month show strong opposition to the balances negotiated by the union. About 66% of the opponents ratified the agreement and 34% voted against it. The RTBU only succeeded in enforcing the agreement after months of exhausting workers and cracking down on the problems caused by years of work and work within the freight company. In January, the RTBU held joint union leadership meetings in both divisions prior to the vote. It is about “explaining the results [of the negotiations] and answering questions.” PACIFIC NATIONAL INTERMODAL DIVISION TERMINAL OPERATIONS ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2018 All links above are available on the Fair Work Australia website.
The Rail Train and Bus Union (RTBU) has imposed another regressive labour agreement on some 850 workers in Pacific National`s (PN) coal and bulk transportation services in The State of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. BMA Rail 2013Sement note that this agreement is being renegotiated RTBU is currently working with the NSW government to try to impose another agreement for 9,000 public railway workers throughout the NSW, which will strengthen the attack on wages and conditions. The union has worked with PN and other freight companies to impose drastic reductions in conditions and jobs in Victoria, Queensland and across the country. The RTBU was successful and negotiated roundly after voluntary dismissals negotiated at the union level. In 2014, the RTBU signed AAS which allowed it to increase coverage to 49% of its workforce. The workers were not informed of the provision during the vote on this agreement. The RTBU has left negotiations on a new agreement beyond 10 months. Late last year, the union launched a union action campaign for which workers voted in September. The union allowed only symbolic prohibitions and interruptions.
