BHP coal dispute gets bitter

BY BILL MASON

BRISBANE — Tensions are rising in the central Queensland coalfields as mine workers hold firm in their strike against BHP over a new enterprise agreement.

Around 1500 workers at six coalmines are involved in the dispute, which commenced after talks between the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and the company broke down in February.

After a series of rolling stoppages, the miners are now on strike and staffing picket lines in a battle over wages and job security. BHP has applied to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to have the bargaining period terminated and the matter taken to full arbitration.

CFMEU Queensland mining president Andrew Vickers said on March 28 that the move amounted to union-busting.

The strikers have accused BHP of ordering security staff to drive through picket lines at high speed at night without lights, and of harassing workers and their families by using a private security firm to stalk and video them.

The centre of confrontation has been the Peak Downs coal mine west of Mackay, and the nearby town of Moranbah, where tensions are high. Dennis Rose, a 16-year veteran miner at Peak Downs, said that the workers on the picket line no longer cared about the money. He said he wanted recognition for the sacrifices made three years ago when coal prices crashed.

"We accepted an ultimatum from the company for pay cuts and voluntary redundancies. We did it without complaining", he said. Now, with BHP's profits increasing from increases in the world price of coal, mine workers want a share.

From GLW issue 443