The parties signed a new agreement to extend negotiations until November 16 under the auspices of Deputy FWC President Anna Booth.
Under the terms agreed today, a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) will be negotiated and made by November 16. The date can be extended by mutual consent.
HPA Acting CEO Mark Jack said HPA had been vigorous in its pursuit of conciliation for more than two months. HPA officers had attended conciliation and private talks on at least ten occasions, and the company had kept on full pay all workers earmarked for redundancy nine weeks ago.
“This is not an easy time for our workers and the company. We have been working on solutions to keep the company viable and to demonstrate to the union how creating a sustainable long-term workforce is the only way forward for both the company and HPA’s workers,” he said.
“We will continue to negotiate in good faith during this extended period and hope that the MUA and its members will cooperate to try to work out a solution in the best and balanced interest of all stakeholders including the workforce, the customers and the shareholders.”
Both parties agreed that a voluntary redundancy program would be opened for workers in Brisbane and Sydney.