A 12 weeks on, one week off fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) roster being advertised in Western Australia’s Pilbara could become known as the “suicide roster” the Australian Manufacturing Union (AMWU) says.
Construction and maintenance company Goodline is looking to hire electricians to work 56 hours a week as permanent FIFO employees.
The Queensland-based company has a contract to provide electrical services to Fortescue Metals Group, which is expanding its port stockyard and ship loading facility at Anderson Point in Port Hedland.
AMWU’s WA state secretary Steve McCartney said the advertised roster was irresponsible and put the wellbeing of employees at risk.
“These rosters are dangerous for their mental health,” he said.
“There’s a big discussion at the moment about family-friendly rosters and this is the furthermost thing from a family-friendly roster.
“We hope this doesn’t get known as the suicide roster.”
Mr McCartney said the company had also asked some of its existing workforce to move from a four weeks on, one week off roster to the 12 and one rotation.
He said the 12 and one roster had not been commonplace in the mining sector since the early 1980s.
“It’s the furthermost thing from an acceptable roster,” he said.
“This company is trying to send conditions of workers back to 1982.
“It’s a joke, it’s irresponsible and it’s a disgrace.”
He said the conditions targeted those who had lost their jobs as a result of the slowdown in the resources sector.
“They’re taking advantage of people who are frightened of the downturn of the industry,” he said.
“They’re thinking, ‘Where am I going to get my money? I might have to do this job’.”
Goodline has been contacted for comment.