Illegal Lockout Case started on the 30th of July

Bulletin No. 5.24

During the course of our Enterprise Agreement negotiations many members were subjected to what the RTBU believes was an illegal lockout.

RTBU members had voted to take Protected Industrial Action in support of a fair and equitable set of wages and conditions and notified that they would be taking a 72-hour strike.

Pacific National then pre-emptively issued a lock out notice which took effect before the strike action was intended to commence.

We fought this lock out in the Fair Work Commission but ultimately the Commission refused to intervene as the lock out had finished by that time and there was “no utility” in making an order – we vehemently disagreed.

We never give up when it comes to the rights of members, so we have lodged a case in the new Industrial Court set up by the Labor Government to quickly hear matters like this.

This morning, we had the first directions hearing.

There is a reason that we chose to wait for the Industrial Court to open rather than spending 18 months in the Federal Court. We opined that the new Court would move a lot quicker than that. This morning the President of the Industrial Court indicated that he would deal with the case as quickly as possible.

The RTBU Legal Team is confident of prospects of success and we hope to have an further update later in August 2024.

Just like an elephant, the RTBU never forgets and never forgives!

Issued By:                          Authorised By:
Amanda Perkins                Toby Warnes
Branch Organiser                Branch Secretary

Please click HERE to download this bulletin.