Ok Tedi boss says protest illegal

The National Business

By SHIRLEY MAULUDU
OK Tedi Mining Ltd managing director Peter Graham has described as “illegal” the sit-in protest by some employees yesterday.
Graham told The National that the protest did not affect any of the company’s operations.
“A small group of mine maintenance employees did not report for work (yesterday morning) and instead decided to stage a sit-in at the main camp despite attempts by management and the union executives to get them to go to work,” he said.
“The industrial action was illegal since it did not follow the grievance process and was not supported by the union.
“Management is addressing the matter in accordance with company policy and the employee terms and conditions.”
In a statement, the employees said they wanted OK Tedi Mining Ltd to address and respond positively to some issues they had raised.
“We have witnessed and observed a lot of changes taking place,” the statement said.
“This indicates that the company is progressing business-wise and is back to normal operation.
“After the re-start in 2016, we all signed a new contract in line with the company’s situation then and were promised that these contracts would be reviewed and changed after the transition.”
The issues they want addressed are:

  • A change in the current 2/1 roster for shift workers;
  • a review of current contract; and,
  • To renegotiate the industrial agreement.

“We assure the management that this will be a peaceful sit-in and we’ll only resume duties when we are satisfied with the feedback,” the statement said.