PNG Power, union sign deal for workers

THE 2019 Enterprise Agreement signed between PNG Power Ltd (PPL) and PNG Energy Workers’ Association (PNGEWA) this week is focused on better overall benefits for employees, PPL acting managing director Carolyn Blacklock says.
Blacklock, who was a party to the signing of the agreement, told The National that it was performance-based and that staff would be required to meet the criteria under the enterprise agreement.
“It is a really special time because we signed the agreement after eight months of respective negotiations which was chaired by the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations,” she said.
“It was witnessed by industrial registrar Helen Saliau, who has been a huge part in building better relations between the PPL management and the union executives.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) was a culmination of eight months of negations but 16 months of better relationship building and trust between our work force, 1,800 permanent people and 2,500 casuals, who have given us a tick that they are trusting both parties.”
Blacklock said it was historic because it was the first time that they had only one union representation – PNGEWA.
“It matters that the staff perform and are disciplined and help PNG Power reform. And also it helps to make the workplace safer for the staff,” she said.
She said there is still work to do.