AGL could be facing extensive strike activity later this month at its Loy Yang A power plant in Victoria, if it cannot come to terms on a new enterprise agreement with its unionised workforce.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union has publicly accused the energy producer of forcing an impasse in talks, with a recent offer that was backwards from prior negotiations.
“Disturbingly, after months refusing to bargain, but getting closer to a deal with only a handful of outstanding issues, AGL again backflipped on its compromises to seek an immediate reform agenda that will eradicate workplace conditions,” CFMEU Victoria’s mining and energy boss Trevor Williams reportedly told the AFR.
AGL has reportedly said it had been working towards a Fair Work Commission-recommended enterprise deal, but upon union resistance, it was now pursuing its own agenda.
A 24-hour work stoppage at the 2200-megawatt power plant is said to be on the cards, with the strike likely to be scheduled over the Christmas period.
Loy Yang A general manager Steve Rieniets, also quoted by the AFR, said AGL was “doing everything we can to resolve the dispute”.
Rieniets reportedly said the union has twice rejected offers of 20% pay increases over four years.