Issue No 73 | 13 October 2000 | |
News5 Day Strike Burns BHP Coal
Workers at three BHP Queensland coal operations walked off the job for 5-days this week as the industrial dispute over new enterprise agreements escalated.
Their counterparts at three BHP NSW coal operations are meeting to set to endorse a 7-day stoppage from Wednesday 18 October. The strikes involve workers at BHP's Central Queensland Crinum and Gregory coal mines and the Hay Point Coal Loader and the Illawarra's Appin, Tower and Cordeaux collieries. Enterprise agreements have expired at all these operations. CFMEU General President Tony Maher says mineworkers have become increasingly frustrated with BHP's "stonewalling in negotiations. The company is not fair dinkum. Our members are outraged that BHP is refusing to seriously address our claims at a time when the company has never had it so good". Maher also accused the company of lining its executives' pockets while denying their workers. "BHP's chief executive Paul Anderson has pocketed $7.8 million for the year and BHP's directors have given themselves a 20% increase. Is it any wonder that the BHP mineworkers are so outraged and determined to fight for their fair share", says Tony Maher. Maher said that BHP has recorded a $1.8 billion profit in coal over the past two years - "underwritten by a 54% increase in Australian coal mineworkers productivity in the past two years and a 38% reduction in our workforce. That performance alone entitles us to the 15% wage increase we are seeking over the next two years". "But when you add in the extra hundreds of millions in windfall profits BHP is making from the lower Australian dollar (BHP's coal export contracts are written in American dollars, so the further the Aussie dollar declines, the greater the windfall profits for BHP) and the forecast price increase for Australian coal exports - then this company's refusal to at least share some of its gain with its workers after we have had years of pain, is scandalous". Tony Maher pointed out that the most conservative forecasts are for a 5% ($US2 a tonne) increase in coal prices. "Coal producer QCT Resources, the target of a BHP takeover bid, predicts a $US3 a tonne increase. This would mean additional profit gains of between $100 million to $150 million for BHP from its existing operations. BHP has the capacity to pay what its workers deserve", he said.
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Interview: Righting The Wrongs Improving the lives of Aboriginal people can't be taken out of the context of the economy, welfare and other areas says Bob McMullan, Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Economics: At The Mercy Of Gamblers The plunge of the Australian dollar relative to the greenback has consequences for Aussie workers according to Frank Stillwell. History: Labour History Under Seige Again The Friends of the Noel Butlin Archives Centre have recently been informed of proposed changes to the Noel Butlin Archives Centre (NBAC), changes that will cut staff by more than 50% and leave the Archives mothballed in the tunnel where the repository is situated. Workplace: Fighting The Flexible Firm We are told that hardship and exploitation at work is dying out, and the new economy offers opportunity, freedom and job satisfaction for all. Richard Sennett unveils the true nature of the flexible workplace. Safety: Being bossed around is bad for your health A survey of more than 3,000 Australian workers has revealed that some 54% of workers experience intimidating behaviour in their workplace. In almost 85% of cases it is employers, managers and supervisors who are identified as the culprits. Unions: Discrimination New to the union and the maritime industry and with only a few days casual work to live off, Stephen Rolls courageously spoke up against individual contracts during a job interview with Burnie Port Corp. International: Serbian Workers and Their Unions Fight for Freedom Serbian workers and their unions have been at the forefront of the struggle for democracy in Yugoslavia as they led a general strike in response to attempts by President Slobodan Milosevic to nullify the defeat he faced in the Sept. 24 election. Satire: A few more years of civilised brutality will advantage Aborigines: Ruddock CANBERRA, Tuesday: The Minister for Reconciliation Philip Ruddock has defended his comments to French newspaper Le Monde claiming that Aborigines were disadvantaged because they were late in coming into contact with developed civilisations. Review: Poetry For Workers By Workers Poems about the trials and tribulations of a waitress and what you learn in a chocolate factory are among the gems from the 925 anthology.
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