Miners threaten strike over Moura claims

Miners threaten strike over Moura claims

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE — The United Mine Workers Union has warned of a possible statewide strike because de facto spouses of coal miners killed in the Moura underground mine disaster cannot currently sue for damages under an act now 127 years old.

UMWU state president Andrew Vickers said on October 10 that the union would close down Queensland mines unless the state government acted within three weeks to change legislation under which de facto partners are not recognised as wives, and cannot file a claim at common law for damages.

Four of the 11 miners who died in the Moura explosion on August 7 had de facto spouses.

The state opposition and the union have claimed that attorney-general Dean Wells had prior knowledge of the anomaly more than a month ago and failed to take any action.

Wells now says a submission on the matter will now go to state cabinet shortly.

From GLW issue 163