Individ. WorkplaceAgreemts
Broken Hill Proprietary Co Ld
1 February 2000
BHP IRON ORE
The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP) said today it would appeal a
decision by Justice Gray in the Federal Court granting an injunction that
prevents BHP from continuing to offer individual workplace agreements to
employees at BHP Iron Ore (BHPIO).
The company said the decision would not impact BHPIO's determination to
continue to seek changes in work arrangements at its Pilbara operations.
There is no question that BHPIO needs fundamental change to keep up with
customers and competitors.
BHP Minerals Chief Operating Officer Bob Kirkby said BHPIO was already seeing
evidence that individual workplace agreements could achieve the sort of change
required by removing Award/EBA restrictions.
'Employees who have signed individual workplace agreements are already
thinking differently about their jobs and contributions to the business. The
new arrangements have offered a win-win outcome for the company and iron ore
employees', Mr Kirkby said.
'BHPIO needs to achieve radical change. We cannot go back to the way things
were under the old system. That would simply mean that our business would
continue to lose ground to its competitors in the global iron ore industry.
'The company will look at all its options to achieve change while the legal
issues are resolved. BHP strongly believes an employer should have the right
to offer individual workplace agreements to employees who want to work under
those arrangements.
'The unions have stated they are willing to discuss change. We need a radical
change to the system that currently restricts employees' attitudes and
behaviours.'
BHP rejected claims that it had discriminated against employees. As Justice
Gray stated in his judgement: '...the findings of fact which are set out in
these reasons for judgement are made on the basis of evidence given on
affidavit, untested by cross examination, and prepared in a hurry.'
BHP also rejected union argument that it had sought to de-unionise its
workforce through the offer of individual workplace agreements. The company
will mount a vigorous defence against these claims during the court
proceedings.
Contact:
Michael Spencer - Manager Communications and Corporate Marketing Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 9609 2982
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