Thousands of workers at BHP’s seven coal operations in Central Queensland are now engaged in a campaign of protected industrial action with workers walking off the job in six-hour stoppages and attending mass rank and file meetings.

Queensland District President Stephen Smyth said that the rank and file meetings held so far “are hammering out a solid message for BHP to reach a fair agreement with its workforce”.

Stephen said that in a last desperate attempt to divide the workers BHP had put a $5,000 sign-on bribe to employees if they turned their back on industrial action after more than 90% voted in support of a protected action campaign in a secret ballot.

“The company has bombarded employees with its propaganda and sweeteners but the workers are not falling for it. The rank and file are telling us that this new Enterprise Agreement is not just about money, it is about conditions, standards and rights at work. It is about our way of life, time with our families. It is about a safe and satisfying workplace and job security. But BHP just don’t get it”.

Stephen Smyth said that the last of this week’s rank and file Lodge meetings would be held in Moranbah on Saturday.

“We hope that BHP will now accept that it needs to address the real issues concerning its workforce in a new agreement and sit down with us next week to reach a fair resolution”, he said.

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Follow the BHP campaign on the SBU website.