BHP will damage the mental health and families of its iron ore rail workers if it persists with its punishing roster and continues to avoid negotiation, the union representing rail workers has warned.
BHP Locomotive Drivers, working in the Pilbara on a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) basis, are being told they will be required to work a two-week-on, one-week-off roster – a change from the usual two on, two off roster. During the peak of the pandemic last year FIFO drivers voluntarily performed this roster as well as lengthy stays in WA due to hard border closures – but BHP has now indicated the roster will be compulsory in two three-month blocks up until August 2022, and perhaps beyond.
CFMEU Mining & Energy said there are serious questions to be asked if the roster can be forced on drivers under the current enterprise agreement and is currently obtaining legal advice. In the meantime, BHP should be sitting down with the drivers and the union to discuss a new agreement going forward.
CFMEU Mining & Energy Division WA Secretary, Greg Busson, said the roster will have deleterious effects on workers, especially those living on the east coast.
“Last year FIFO train drivers accepted that times were unusual, and they copped extended periods away from their families,” Mr Busson said.
“But it came at a real cost. Mental health problems have been cropping up and have been poorly handled by BHP. Drivers found they were really only getting five days to see their families given they are required to spend full days travelling to and from site.”
“If you want to look after mental health a two and one roster is unsustainable. Drivers thought they had seen the end of this and yet now they’re being told this is their new reality indefinitely.”
Mr Busson said BHP needs to change its approach if it wants to avoid creating mental health and family problems.
“Morale is low and trust is low because management has reneged on too many undertakings to workers in the recent past,” Mr Busson said.
“We have an enterprise agreement that should have been sorted out years ago and management is still stalling.”
“If BHP wants to retain drivers and keep production moving it needs to change its dictatorial approach. It needs to sit down with drivers and their union, listen to their concerns, and work collaboratively to come up with a solution.”