Coal miners at Rix’s Creek are continuing to fight for a fair Enterprise Agreement (EA) that delivers accident pay, which reflects real wages.
The Hunter Valley-based workers have been striking for the past fortnight after 10 months of negotiations with The Bloomfield Group stalled on the key issue.
It also follows the site’s Mining and Energy Union (MEU) members’ decision to endorse industrial action to abolish the company’s outdated system.
Currently, when an employee is injured, the Rix’s Creek Lodge – comprising MEU colleagues – chips in from its own pockets to top up the accident pay so they don’t lose out financially.
“We are determined to fix this once and for all in this new EA,” Northern Mining and MEU NSW Energy District president Robin Williams said.
“Our members shouldn’t have to subsidise accident pay out of their own wages.
“Right now, we’re literally passing the hat around… that’s not right.
“It’s 2025, not 1925.”
Mr Williams said Rix’s Creek miners had shown patience and good faith in bargaining.
However, the company’s refusal to resolve the long-standing problem had left them no choice but to strike.
“This is about fairness and security for injured workers and their families,” he added.
“No one should be left struggling because of a workplace injury.
“And, no workforce should be forced to cover for what the employer should provide.”
Instead of returning to the table with a fair solution, the company has informed workers it now intends to put an even worse offer to a vote… and ignoring the broken accident-pay system altogether.
“At the same time, The Bloomfield Group is advertising for replacement labour to keep operations running during the ongoing industrial action,” Mr Williams said.
“Workers say the move is a deliberate attempt to undermine the bargaining process and divide the workforce.
“Trying to bring in strike-breakers while putting a worse deal than before to a vote shows exactly how little respect this company has for its own employees.
“But, our members are standing firm.”
Long-term employees believe it is particularly disappointing to see The Bloomfield Group take this approach, given its traditional reputation as a good local employer.
“The company used to be known as one of the more decent ones,” Mr Williams said.
“That makes this all the more shameful.
“Workers at Rix’s Creek remain strong and united in their demand for a fair deal that delivers accident pay reflecting real wages and respects their contribution.”
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