Peabody says it remains committed to progressing enterprise agreement negotiations with the Mining and Energy Union at the Wambo coal handling and preparation plant, after a scheduled bargaining meeting was cancelled by the union at short notice.
According to a Peabody spokesperson, yesterday’s meeting was set to be the 18th round of bargaining between the two parties, arranged more than two weeks in advance following an additional session held earlier this week.
“We have continued to make ourselves available for discussions and were prepared to meet today for the 18th bargaining meeting,” the spokesperson said.
The company said it had also been advised the union had limited availability to meet over the coming fortnight due to other bargaining priorities, which it said would delay progress toward an agreement. Peabody said its focus remained on reaching an outcome that was fair, sustainable and beneficial for both employees and the long-term future of the operation.
The Union had told Radio Hunter Valley earlier this week that the 18th meeting was scheduled prior to the fresh lock-out of its workers, which will continue until the morning of Tuesday, July 28.
