Recharge Industries™ has executed an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU), securing workers’ rights at its soon-to-be constructed, large-scale battery cell production facility in Australia.
Over the last three months, leaders from Recharge Industries™ – through its project proponent Scale Facilitation® – have worked closely with AWU representatives to put employees and talent retention at the center of the factory’s operations as they negotiated an EBA aligned to the scale and ambition of the future advanced battery manufacturing facility in Australia.
Recharge Industries™ cemented this agreement in a display of confidence in the facility being delivered as planned, setting the conditions to mutually benefit the 1,500-2,000 anticipated employees required at full-scale, per an independent report commissioned by Scale Facilitation®. The EBA also provides certainty to investors and other stakeholders with important project costs and lays down key talent attraction and retention policies essential in this competitive, high-growth industry.
Recharge Industries™ can now complete financial modeling around wages and incentives, start the post-construction job-hunting process, and ensure employees have time to become AWU members, protected under the EBA. The nature of the EBA signed by Recharge Industries™ and the AWU has been structured to ensure national coverage and flexibility should other battery manufacturing opportunities present in other Australian states.
When asked about Scale Facilitation®, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, The Hon. Richard Marles, noted, “To see high-tech manufacturing occur in Australia, on shore, is going to be completely central to building the kind of economy we want in the future which generates the secure well-paid jobs that characterizes the prosperous nation we want to become”.
AWU’s National Secretary, Daniel Walton delegated Lead Organiser, Ronnie Hayden to draft the EBA with the Recharge Industries team, led by Scale Facilitation® Director of Industrial Relations, James Fatone.
Walton views projects of this significance as vital for Australia’s economic prosperity, saying “Advanced manufacturing in areas of growth, such as clean energy, create long-term high-value jobs. They also create the skills that will make Australia a more prosperous nation”.
David A. Collard, Founder and Managing Partner of Recharge Industries’ parent company, Scale Facilitation®, reinforced Walton’s view and further added praise for Fatone for his instrumental role as Director of Industrial Relations.
“His deft touch in coordinating industrial relations has set the foundation for Recharge Industries™ to scale and become a key contributor to Australia’s sovereign resilience in the pivotal decade ahead,” said Collard.
The newly signed comprehensive EBA provides union members employed at the facility with a world-class incentive scheme, and ensures operators, tradespeople, and apprentices alike are equally recognized and supported.
“Recharge Industries™ aims to provide growth opportunities for the workforce to thrive in this highly competitive market for people,” said Fatone, who wants the factory to be an employer of choice for workers from day one.
Jess Harding, Recharge Industries™ Talent Attraction and Retention lead, views institutions like the Gordon TAFE and Deakin University as critical pillars and role players in the talent conversation.
“Ensuring we have access to specialized courses and training programs will be fundamental to keeping our people skilled, trained, and future-ready,” said Harding.
By signing this agreement and having it ready during this pre-construction phase, Recharge Industries™ decreases the risk of project delays in reaching operations on schedule. The proactive approach follows the Scale Facilitation® business model, which scales leading-edge innovation and technology into commercial success through people, trust, and efficiency.
About Recharge Industries™
Generating our green future, Recharge Industries™ is establishing onshore battery research and production. Using world-leading artificial intelligence (AI) and multinational research partnerships, Recharge Industries™ is finding ways to make batteries better, safer, and longer lasting. Recharge Industries™ is powering the transmission to a low emissions future by creating advanced battery manufacturing capabilities on shore.
About Scale Facilitation®
In its simplest form, Scale Facilitation® is a company that creates companies. Experts in empowering innovation from an idea through to commercialization, Scale Facilitation® manages and has delivered several strategic projects between the United States of America and its long-term ally Australia, including Recharge Industries™.
About Deakin University
Deakin University is a leading university enabling global research that makes a difference to communities. Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A²I²) combines multi-disciplinary expertise to deliver transformative AI technologies that benefit industries and society.
About The Australian Workers’ Union
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) was established in 1886 and exists to protect the rights of its members who work in a diverse range of industries. With 6 branches across Australia and roughly 80,000 members, AWU is one of the country’s largest and oldest trade unions.