BMA and Coalmining Unions to Enter Mediation

The 18-month mining dispute, culminating with seven-days of striking in May, is about to be resolved. BMA and the Single Bargaining Unit unions confirm they have commenced discussions regarding BMA’s Bowen Basin Enterprise Agreement.

Every condition that the miners have in the current coal industry, whether it is health and safety, rosters, conditions or pay, have been fought for by the miners over the last almost 100 years.

“The famous Moura disasters occurred at a BHP mine in central Queensland and the cause was later put down to management putting production targets ahead of safety at the coalface,” says Martin Walters the union representative explaining the struggle for safety rights during the three fatal explosions in Moura in 1975, 1986 and 1994.

“BHP wanted to take away critical safety roles from the Union and give them to management, sparking fears that once again production could come before worker safety,” said the union representative Martin Walters to Australian Times.

Employees have twice voted down BMA’s enterprise agreement proposal to improve wages and conditions for miners. “Guaranteed 5% increases across each of three years for wage levels that are already twice the national average will be difficult to continue to maintain given prices for our products have fallen by 30% in the period between the two ballots,“ said BMA president Steve Dumble to Sunshine Coast Daily in May.

Accommodation remains the second major issue

Workers will either live in mining communities within an hour’s drive of the mine or in regional towns and cities where they drive several hours to and from work. Others may live so far away that they perform FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) labour and stay in large camps during their rosters,” said Martin Walters.“The Union is in favour of more family housing being made available to workers who want to live in the mining communities,” he added.

Unions will push for better accommodation to be provided by the company as was done historically in the Bowen Basin,“ said union representative

Among other things miners are seeking are paid leave for attending voluntary emergency training, maximum 12 month engagement of temporary employees, paid leave to attend statutory health assessment when not rostered on to work.

Both sides acknowledge that the success of mediation will rely on confidential, good faith discussions to which all have given their full commitment. Given the importance in resolving this long-standing issue and in preserving the integrity of the process, BMA and the unions have agreed that they will not be making any public comment until mediation has concluded.

Mining strikes often end up violent in other parts of the world. Just last month in Spain approximately 8,000 workers went on strike in the mining areas of Asturias and León. 63% cuts to coal subsidies resulting in thousands of job losses, has provoked furious and desperate resistance. In a recent escalation of violence, officials fired rubber bullets and tear gas while miners have begun using slingshots and homemade rockets.