Tensions grow in Mt Isa
By Bill Mason
BRISBANE — Tensions are growing in Mt Isa once more as workers express concern over the future of enterprise bargaining at the MIM mine, scene of a major lockout in May.
On June 16, Premier Wayne Goss expressed fears of the possible impact of any renewed industrial confrontation at Mt Isa on the ALP's upcoming election campaign.
An "industrial action" bulletin circulated by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union outlined how strikes could be called for 8, 16, 24 or 48 hours and urged "non-cooperation", "go-slow" and "work to rule."
The bulletin warns families to be prepared financially for MIM to eliminate overtime, calls for stop-work meetings in the event of any stand-downs and urges total resistance to any shift changes.
Since work resumed following the lockout, reports have circulated that the key issue of family airfares to Brisbane may have been left out of the negotiations by the ACTU. ACTU president Martin Ferguson has denied this.
CFMEU Mt Isa lodge president Chris Day said on June 16 that "there is concern that the enterprise bargaining issues may have been taken out of the hands of the work force and are being run by ACTU and state officials."