Rio Tinto workers across Western Australia's Iron Ore sector have been left stunned by the company's decision to slash personal leave entitlements putting the majority FIFO workforce under pressure to travel to work while sick.
The change, which was not negotiated with the workforce or their unions, is a unilateral move that completely disregards the physical and mental toll of FIFO work. It trashes long-standing arrangements that provide a safety net for employees with medical conditions and caring responsibilities; and will reinforce the growing view among Rio workers that collective bargaining is the only way to secure their conditions at work.
The move comes despite Rio Tinto reporting billions in annual profits, most of it generated off the back of Iron Ore exports from WA.
"This is not a perk people rorted. It's a policy that gave workers the confidence to show up, day in and day out, knowing they'd be supported if something went wrong. Stripping it away doesn't just cut an entitlement, it guts trust." Brad Gandy, AWU WA Secretary said today.
"The only protection workers have from this kind of greedy corporate rug pulling is a strong, enforceable collective agreement." He said.
"This is a very timely example of precisely why we have been campaigning for an EBA at Rio said Greg Bussin, West Australian MEU Secretary.
WMWA will be updating members today about the change and outlining the next steps in the fight to protect conditions at Rio. Additional Context:
- Rio's current sick leave policy provides for "3 months" of sick leave.
- The amount of paid days that employees actually accrue is calculated based on a rolling average that changes depending on the roster worked in a 13 week period.
- Approximately two thirds of workers work an "8 & 6" roster which would accrue just over 45 paid days of leave to become the "3 months" in the policy.
- Rio's current sick leave minimisation practices involve rigorous discouragement of leave taking such as "discussions" with management at 10, 20 and 30 days leave. Rio may also request evidence for sick leave.
- Attendance at work (not taking sick leave) is included as a KPI for worker's bonuses.
