Mining union latest to call for greater worker rights

Just a couple weeks after education strikes in Queensland, the mining industry is calling for greater worker entitlements.

In a statement to the media, the miners’ union said it’s calling for BHP to guarantee worker entitlements and ongoing community support following news the ASX-listed mining giant plans to offload two large coal mines in Central Queensland.

Earlier this month, BHP said it would put its Daunia and Blackwater mines on the market within the next 18 months. The two currently employ more than 2,500 people between them. 

Mining and Energy Union Queensland president Stephen Smyth said BHP “has made a fortune out of Central Queensland coal assets” and “should not cut and run, leaving workers and communities with an uncertain future”.

“I have no doubt that another operator can successfully and profitably run the Daunia and Blackwater mines, as there is strong global demand for Queensland coal,” Mr Smyth said.

“But BHP has long been the biggest coal mine operator in Central Queensland, and I believe they owe it to their workforce and the communities that have sustained them to provide some ongoing support.

“BHP must guarantee that workers’ entitlements will be protected throughout this process, including their contractor workforce.

“And I call on BHP to make a commitment to providing ongoing community support — especially to the town of Blackwater, which has supported the Blackwater mine for over 50 years of its operation by BHP.”

Mr Smyth said the union would continue to rally for members while the future of the two mines remains uncertain.

“While we wait for further clarity on the sale process, the union is here to provide all possible support to our members at Daunia and Blackwater mines,” he said.

The union’s calls for greater worker entitlements follow University of Queensland (UQ) staffers going on strike for the third time in 600 days, pleading with management to reach a new enterprise agreement.

NSW Senator Mehreen Faruqi, who is Greens’ deputy leader and also a National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) member, attended the strike held on 22 February.

“Across the country, university staff are speaking out and bargaining for a fair deal on their campuses,” Senator Faruqi said.

“They shouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail for the basic right of fairer working conditions, decent pay and secure work. The corporate model of higher education that is failing them needs to change.”