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Category: Electricity Energy and Utilities / Unions

TasNetworks reschedules work as union prepares for more strikes

Thursday, 10 Mar 2016 03:35:38

Unions have been unable to reach an agreement with TasNetworks. (ABC News: Damien Larkins)

TasNetworks says it has had to postpone some planned maintenance jobs as a result of an ongoing pay dispute with the union.

Key points:

  • It is unclear how many maintenance jobs have been affected so far
  • 400 workers went on strike on Tuesday
  • Union vows action will escalate

It is unclear how many planned outages have been disrupted during the rolling strikes but the union representing power workers said it had no choice but to escalate the industrial action.

The dispute escalated when 400 workers, including linesmen, electricians and meter readers walked off the job for 24 hours on Tuesday.

Todd Lambert, the state organiser of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union's (CEPU) Tasmanian branch, said they would have to continue their actions.

"Well there will be an escalation of the actions, there's a number of industrial actions that are on the table at the moment," he said.

TasNetwork and the CEPU met on Wednesday to try and resolve the ongoing dispute.

The union sought to extend the existing agreement for another 12 months and backdate a 3 per cent pay increase.

They also demanded that nine outstanding issues be referred to the Fair Work Commission.

TasNetworks knocked back the offers and said the enterprise agreement would go to a vote at the end of March.

"We believe we've put an olive branch on the table. It's been thrown back at us and the employers are naturally very angry," Mr Lambert said.

The company said in a written statement they apologise for any inconvenience to the public.

"TasNetworks is taking every measure possible to ensure the impact on customers is minimised, without compromising the safety of our people and the community."

"There have been some customer impacts as a result of protected industrial action and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers."

The company has called on the union to consider the state's energy crisis as they up their actions.

Both parties said public safety would not be compromised in the dispute.

AustraliaPlus


 

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