Freight workers caught up in an industrial dispute at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal will be allowed to work this week after initially being told they couldn’t.
However, the 108 Pacific National Coal workers could still be stood down on Sunday if a month-long stoush between terminal staff and management is not settled.
Pacific National employees, who drive and unload coal trains, were notified on Monday they would be stood down without pay from today because the rolling industrial action had caused coal haulage volumes to plummet.
The company claimed it could no longer afford to keep paying staff when there was no work.
Another 24-hour strike action was scheduled to begin at 7am today, however, that was cancelled as a ‘‘show of good faith’’ late yesterday by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.
Pacific National Coal director David Irwin said the concession allowed freight workers to avoid being stood down as planned.
However, another 24-hour protected strike will occur on Sunday unless the CFMEU and coal terminal management reach a deal.
‘‘From our perspective, the uncertainty is unchanged,’’ Mr Irwin said.
‘‘All that’s changed is that there’s now no stoppage tomorrow.
‘‘That has given us 24 hours and we’re encouraged that’s happened but [by] not being a party to the negotiations, we’re not sure if they’ve made significant progress or minor progress.’’
The 108 freight workers would be stood down on Sunday if no agreement is reached this week, Mr Irwin said.
Sixty-one are from the Illawarra and 47 are based in Lithgow.
The company would be required to give them 48 hours’ notice.
CFMEU district vice-president Bob Timbs said there had been ‘‘encouraging’’ progress during negotiations over pay and conditions yesterday.
He said further strikes depended on whether the Port Kembla Coal Terminal board endorsed yesterday’s negotiation developments, which he would not reveal.
‘‘We’ve progressed to a point where we think we could maybe come to an agreement,’’ he said.
Port Kembla Coal Terminal general manager Peter Green did not return the Mercury’s calls yesterday.
A spokesman for Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten urged all parties to exercise restraint.
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