As BHP celebrates the biggest ever profit in Australia’s history – up a massive 86% to US$23.65 Billion for the financial year – Unions representing thousands of its coal industry workforce in Central Queensland are calling on the company to end almost a year of negotiations and settle a new fairer Enterprise Agreement.

More than 3,000 mineworkers at BHP’s seven Central Queensland coal operations have been locked in protracted negotiations since November last year. The current EA expired in May this year and since then BHP has hardened its line sparking widespread rank and file support for a campaign of protected industrial action.

Our Union’s Queensland District President Stephen Smyth said of the negotiations: “We have made progress on some issues but the main sticking points are still there – like job security and satisfaction, a fairer go in the workplace, proper training opportunities, family friendly rosters and housing. These are issues that BHP can well afford to address.

“These record profits were provided by a workforce that at the very least deserves a fair go in a new Enterprise Agreement. BHP does not need to add to its super-profits by punishing workers on the job, forcing them to work rosters that undermine their families lives and denying dedicated workers the right to improved training and employment opportunities”, he said.

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Follow the Campaign on the SBU Website.