Importantly, the new EBA provides for a new category of flexible casual employees. A sufficient proportion of HPA’s full-time employees will voluntarily be converting to casual employment under an agreement supported by the MUA. This will help HPA manage its significant costs in a difficult environment, providing the company with greatly enhanced flexibility and the workers with the right to return as full-time employees, if they choose, as volumes increase.
Acting HPA CEO Mark Jack thanked employees, the MUA and customers for their support during the past weeks, which he said had allowed for a new EBA to be achieved.
He also stressed the company’s situation remained challenging in a difficult market and that HPA is still actively monitoring the environment and considering all options to ensure its ongoing viability.