Rio Tinto Pibara to walk off jobs for strike on saturday.

PI_Dash_9 · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:43 pm

Wickham · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:57 pm

See they had another strike this afternoon........

From all accords went quite well? I was out there earlier and heard everyones favourite supervisor 683!! so once could only assume all was under control...... Laughing

Ah well i think you guys are making a good effort, but alot of us older guys wont join the union simply because of the smeg that went on with both Robe and HI in the 90's

Back then it was go on strike or you were outcast, although the issues back then were alot pettier than conditons, back then it was about food. HI being apples and packed lunches from memory and ROBE guys wanted more flavours of ice cream and more fillings in the sandwhiches. You think back and see how petty we really were and how much of a joke the union was back then.

There's alot of effort being made by certain people within the union but theres also alot of effort not being made by others and from what i've been told theres been more members leaving than joining...............

And talking to a "transport" driver today, was saying Head on Hendry had another incident something to do with going past an LOA, not familiar with the 7 mile yard but surely you wouldnt move unless told to do so? Ah well i would say he will be sent packing his bags.

Also sitting here at work now, see Sid is leaving. Although his replacement is not much better, let's bring someone in with no rail experience what so ever. Another smart move Rio Rolling Eyes

But managed to create some new roles in the Process, "General Manager Rail Development" i mean for goodness sake how many other roles can be created? Surely there was a mainline supervisor/superintendant within rail that could have been promoted, this role should be an experience roll not a 'degree' roll another examply of how badly this company is run.

Whats next?
General Manager Toilet Paper Quality Assurance
Superintendant of Lawn Mowing?

Ah well........all i can say is good on the boys who are taking on the company, i find it amusing Rio makes out in all the business briefs that they are the ones being bullied yet they refuse to even come to the table.

Also heard a rumour, that ATO might be put on the back burner due to this 320 by 2012 not happening at the moment........can't see it being true as they want to get rid of as many drivers as they can.

Between the companys rediculous policys and these bloody contractors (namely skilled drivers who cant drive trains for smeg and are invading like ants) the company as a whole is just a circus and is run by clowns with degrees in something stupid.

I must say i like Sam Walsh's last brief to "drop him an email" about the CFMEU Industrial action....might ask him why they arent coming to the table? i mean isn't that the obvious thing to stop the strikes......well a normal person would think so anyway.

cfmeuka · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 6:37 pm

Thanks Wickham for the words of support and encouragement, it is greatly appreciated.

I have to clear something up though, we have only lost two members. Our membership continues to grow constantly, we now have over 120 members.

Regards,
JP

United We Bargain - Divided We Beg
It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees.

Karratha Lodge: cfmeuka@tpg.com.au
PO Box 1221, Karratha, 6714

Controller · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 9:58 pm

Geezus Wickham, if you hadn't made mention of Rio in you post about the rail management, I would have sworn you were talking about Rio's opposition up the coast a little Laughing

Don't worry about anything, this time next year, Rio will be part of the BIG Australian, God help you all Rolling Eyes

Anyhow, back on subject.....wish all of our CFMEU comrades at Rio all the very best in your struggle.

All gave some, Some gave all

possnuts · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:57 pm

The 4hr stoppage went very well for a number of different reasons. The company thinks that it knows who our members are after the last couple of stoppages but what they fail to realise is that we grow daily and members AWA,s expire as the days roll past.They failed to cover a number of sign ons due to this fact!To the guys who walked off the job well done!!Thanks for your commitment and letting me take your photo.Wickham the has grown up and evolved a lot since tour day and I think you,d have to agree that the issues we,re struggling to resolve are a little more serious than those you mention.Be great to get the old school involved again give it some thought.ALL employees should bear inmind that you are a cost to the business and to remove you for the one off price of technology will always be the preference of any buisness.

Wickham · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:20 pm

Talking to a mate who's a train controller and he was saying that LEAN has been given the flick.......??? how trues this? And he was saying that's not the only cutback and theres going to be a few more.

I mean we all look forward to the meetings, best part of the day Rolling Eyes

Also he was saying they have run out of ore at the mines therefore no trains have been running? Know for a fact there were some running as i went out to Millstream for a drive today and saw 1 train coming through Gallah though that was the only train i saw.

I'm considering joining the union......more waiting to see what happens with the BHP Takeover and whether or not they get to the table with Rio. Also still got another couple of months on my AWA because i signed it quite a long time after we became "Pilbara Rail" as i was put on a HI AWA then they gave us Pilbara Rail AWA's which i just signed not thinking any thing about it.

Controller,

Laughing

Sounds like BHP is just as bad as Rio but i dont know how.....this company is unlike any other i've worked for or know anyone working for.

But by the sounds of things we will be wearing orange by early next year. Bet those upper management folk are screaming as well, could of got a great price 6 months ago and nice bonuses which isnt going to happen now with the share price so low.

Back to enjoying my last couple of days away from the circus Very Happy

pilbara_sam · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:25 am

cfmeuka · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:33 pm

PI_Dash_9 · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:21 pm

cfmeuka · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:29 pm

pilbara_sam · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:16 pm

There have been top level meetings at 7mile today regarding the lack of work there for us. There will be changes with 2/3 weeks, so I have been informed, what those changes are..........well I guess we will have to wait and see.

Im sure all Skilled personel should have reason to be worried, very worried!

possnuts · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:21 pm

One can only hope they offer redundancies I for one would take one at this point!!!!!!!!!!
The out come of some of the safety breaches that occurred on the 31/10 stoppage just proves they value production over safety. Evil or Very Mad

In regard to skilled I wouldn,t be buying that new yacht for Xmas(seeing as how we can all afford one thx to being the privileged employees we are)
All others should be on ones toes as excess workforce V,s work equals you know what

BE COURAGES BUT CARFUL Wink

S

cfmeuka · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:37 pm

LEAN TIMES AHEAD

I have heard, (don't take this as gospel) we are cutting back to 9 trains a day. 7 Yandi and 2 other. I don't know if this is true but a couple of mines are actually going to be stopping production and going into caretaker mode. All projects that haven't started have been suspended, ROC, rail and yard expansions, no word on ATO. As I said I haven't heard any of this officially yet.

I don't like to scare people but I think this downturn has the potential to affect all of us not just contractors.

I read this morning that China intends spending over $A400b on rail and other projects to try and get things kick started again.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24551437-38197,00.html

Rail to the rescue again hey? Wink

Anyway folks, good luck I know we will all come through this OK.

Besides, on the $210k we've been earning we should be all set to retire by now anyway. Laughing

Cheers,
JP

United We Bargain - Divided We Beg
It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees.

Karratha Lodge: cfmeuka@tpg.com.au
PO Box 1221, Karratha, 6714

pilbara_sam · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:35 pm

Will we really?

We will see!!!!!!!!!!!

Wickham · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:44 pm

I notice this thread has fallen very quiet and indeed the union boy's at work haven't said a word.

The only thing i have seen/heard from them is the email that was passed on to me by a colleague.

Funny that, Strikes which hurt the company 3 weeks ago would now help the company, save some money and resources. And really all the guys who lost money and went on strike it was all for nothing from what i have heard as Rio has not come to the table and never will.

Also for those not in the know the ENTIRE Iron Ore Operation's will shut down between 22nd December and Recommence on the 4th December. Rail Employee's are being forced to take leave across this period. So No trains for almost 12 Days.