The Port Kembla Coal Terminal has locked out its workers for the fourth time in five weeks.
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The workers were due to be back on the job on Monday morning after a four-day strike.
However, on Sunday night the PKCT notified workers they were locked out for the following nine days – until February 27.
Due to a combination of earlier lockouts and strike action, when this latest lockout period ends, workers would not have turned up for a shift for 38 days.
A PKCT spokeswoman said the lockout was “to ensure it is able to meet its contractual obligations with its customers”.
The spokeswoman repeated the company’s offer to the CFMMEU of a two-week moratorium on industrial action “to enable negotiations to recommence in an environment where there isn’t the threat of industrial action”.
“PKCT has concern for its employees and their families and it absolutely does not underestimate the impact that the industrial action is having on them which is why the company is offering a two-week moratorium on industrial action so everybody can get back to work,” the spokeswoman said.
“Without that commitment, PKCT has no other choice in order to ensure that it is able to meet its contractual obligations to its customers and ensure the ongoing safe operations and sustainability of the port.”