Mt Isa enterprise deal

Issue 

Mt Isa enterprise deal

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE — Workers at the MIM Mt Isa mine voted overwhelmingly to accept a new enterprise deal on August 10, ending a nine-month dispute which involved strikes, bans and a major lockout.

The workers will receive lump-sum payments of up to $1400 and a 6% pay rise "within weeks", after a mass meeting of some 1800 voted by more than 80% in favour of the new agreement.

Australian Workers Union Mt Isa organiser Roy Harris said the majority of MIM workers now realised that the free return airfares to Brisbane — withdrawn with other over-award benefits in 1993 — "will have to be addressed in some other form".

He said an equivalent of the airfares "can be achieved by a payment in kind", and the lump sums of $400, $800 or $1400, depending on length of service and family status, would go some way towards this.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.