Nyrstar marks milestone as Port Pirie workers strike
NYRSTAR has commenced hot commissioning at its Port Pirie operations amid an ongoing dispute over workers’ pay.
NYRSTAR has commenced hot commissioning at its Port Pirie operations amid an ongoing dispute over workers’ pay.
Following another hearing in the Fair Work Commission yesterday, the company and the Australian Workers’ Union are yet to come to terms on a new Enterprise Agreement, leading to planned industrial action going ahead today.
However, a Nyrstar spokeswoman said the parties reached an agreement to ensure the integrity of the blast furnace during the strike.
“That agreed process is now being put in place to ensure required roles are all manned during this protected action,” she said.
An overwhelming majority of the site’s 520-strong workforce recently rejected Nyrstar’s proposal of no wage increases for three years under a new agreement.
“Nyrstar will continue to hold open and transparent discussions towards successfully achieving a new Enterprise Agreement,” the spokeswoman said.
In a separate statement, Nyrstar welcomed the commencement of hot commissioning as part of the $660 million smelter redevelopment — six months later than originally planned.
“The successful commencement of hot commissioning at the Port Pirie redevelopment is in-line with the guidance we provided in February 2017 and represents a significant milestone in the delivery of this important project,” Hilmar Rode, chief executive of the Belgian-based company, said.
In February, Nyrstar said a review of the redevelopment identified that rework is required to the fabrication of key module components, delaying the start of hot commissioning by six months.
luke.griffiths@news.com.au