A Fair Work Commission order is set to deliver about $10 million in annual pay rises for hundreds of labour hire miners in the region.
The ruling ensures more than 230 workers at BHP’s Mt Arthur site in Muswellbrook will receive equal remuneration for equal work, with an increase of approximately $1,000 per week in wages and conditions.
MEU northern mining and NSW energy president Robin Williams labelled the result “historic”.
“This is a magnificent outcome, ending the labour hire rort at the Hunter’s biggest coal mine,” he said.
“It is an important win against BHP, who was a driving force in developing the unfair, two-tiered employment system that spread like a cancer through the industry.
“After years of ripping off labour hire workers, the law has finally caught up with BHP.”
The Fair Work Commission’s order covers mineworkers employed through Programmed (Skilled Workforce Solutions) at Mt Arthur and takes effect from Friday 7 March.
“Those employees have been earning about $40,000 a year less than directly-employed workers employed under the Mt Arthur Enterprise Agreement,” Mr Williams said.
“Once other entitlements are taken into account, through direct employment, the pay increases will be worth an additional $1,000 a week.
“That’s a massive $10 million annually that will go to Hunter workers, their families and the community.
“The laws are working as intended by ending big mining company wage-cutting strategies and driving direct employment.”
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi, a fierce advocate for Same Job, Same Pay, also welcomed the landmark decision.
He acknowledged the efforts of the MEU, and the workers who stood up to demand fair treatment, too.
“This is what fairness looks like,” the local member said.
“I couldn’t have been happier to get the phone call from those involved in the case late Friday afternoon, to tell me the workers at the Mt Arthur mine will no longer have to settle for less than what they deserve.
“The Mining and Energy Union fought BHP all the way to win this case… and their tireless efforts have delivered this life-changing result for workers and their families.
“They have stood up for fairness and refused to back down against corporate giants.
“So, this ruling proves that their fight was worth it.
“For too long, labour hire workers have been doing the same job as those directly-employed but receiving far less pay.
“This is another blow to exploitative schemes that have shortchanged employees.
“The scourge of labour hire in mining has undercut wages and job security for too long.
“This decision sends a clear message: if you do the same job, you should get the same pay.
“Miners work hard.
“They do long hours, big weeks and shifts at all times of the day and night.
“For someone to get paid less than their mates next to them, for doing the same role, is just an absolute insult and an absolute disgrace… and it’s just not Australian.
“It is a wrong that we needed to put right.”
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- Repacholi unfazed by negative polling
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