
Issue No 84		16 February 2001

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News

BHP Contracts Battle Goes Back to the Coalface

Workers at BHP Iron Ore in the Pilbara region of Western Australia will take their battle against the company's attempt to move its workforce onto individual contracts out of the courts and into the workplace.

Their unions notified the Federal Court this week of their intention to discontinue their appeal against Justice Kenny's January decision in the BHP case, and have issued a notice of their intention to take protected industrial action.

Instead they have resolved to take the issue back to the workplace, and will convene mass meetings across the companies' operations in the coming weeks.

At a meeting of BHP unions is Sydney today, unions resolved that on the ground organising was the way to go, rather than tying up workers in lengthy and costly court action.

Refuding to rule out company wide industrial action, ACTU Secretary Greg Combet says it's important that the dispute over the higher rates being offered to workers who sign contracts be resolved at the coal face.

He says while unions remain convinced that Justice Kenny's decision in the BHP matter was wrong, and that the appeal was soundly based, a lot had changed since the decision was handed down.

Combet says that unions have been advised by a Queen's Counsel that regardless of who won the Federal Court appeal in the BHP matter it would likely be appealed to the High Court. "The prospect of yet more legal cost and a long delay to the final resolution of the matter was a serious concern for unions," he said.

As a result of the unions' decision to discontinue their appeal the Federal Court injunction restraining BHP from offering individual contracts will be lifted, as will the restriction on unions taking legally protected industrial action.

"What workers in the Pilbara are saying is that BHP must respect their right to collectively bargain - that they will not sign individual contracts," Combet says.

"The ACTU and the unions will continue to support this demand. BHP should recognise the views of its' own workers and take the necessary steps to resolve this dispute."

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  Issue 84 contents

Interview: Life After Wartime
After ten years representing the interests of the labour movement in Parliament, Jeff Shaw is back at the bar. And loving it.

Legal: Why the Freeloaders Should Pay
Michael Costa explains why service fees are not only fair - they are economically rational.

Organising: Young Activists Bask in Union Summer
Sydney students have spent three weeks of their summer holidays experiencing on-the-ground work with unions.

Unions: Things Are Looking Up On The Dock
After six years as a call centre worker, Marios Ellas has joined the union movement. Here's his first impressions.

History: Trades Hall � The Royal Connection
Republic, who needs it when we have the Trades Hall decreed by Royal Imprimatur? So tug your forelock as work commences to restore the building.

International: Greetings from Hong Kong
Chan Wai-Keung from the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions outlined the challenges facing Hong Kong workers.

Politics: One Nation - The Old Labor Link
The resurgence in One Nation in the WA election has the pundits again reaching for the tea-leaves. But are they pouring from the wrong pot?

Review: Elect the Ambassador
Labor frontbencher Duncan Kerr unveils his vision for a new international democracy.

Satire: Man Buys Big Issue for the Articles
A Melbourne businessman claims his recent purchase of the "Big Issue" was due to his interest in the magazine's editorial content.

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» Another Major Centre Takes Union Call

» Transport Passes Key Issue for Young Workers

» Shier Calls the Cops! - Fear and Loathing at the ABC

» BHP Contracts Battle Goes Back to the Coalface

» Newcastle Mill to be Union Project

» Government Must Lead on Casual Leave

» Della Ends Discrimination on Leave Entitlements

» Rural Safety Campaign Pays Off

» Mom Always Said � Don�t Break a Picket