AWU backs State Gvt concerns about BHP Cannington mine

A culture of silence at BHP’s Cannington mine must come to an end, the AWU National President and Queensland Secretary, Bill Ludwig, said today.

Bill Ludwig, AWU National President

" The Cannington mine management has for too long used AWAs as a strategy to frighten workers into not speaking out about their safety concerns - now is the time to bring this to an end," Bill Ludwig said.

The AWU's Bill Ludwig made his comments in support of the Queensland Mines Minister Geoff Wilson who today demanded an explanation from BHP about the fatal incident last week, after reports that critical information was withheld from mines inspectors and police for a full 24 hours.

• Take a stand for workplace health and safety - join the AWU today

" Immediately we heard about the death we sent Hag up there to provide independent support and advice to the mine workers at this tragic time," Bill Ludwig said.

" This is not the first time that BHP has sought to deny the democratic right of these workers to have their voices clearly heard, independent of the constraints of management. Unfortunately in December 2006 a 19 year old miner was killed at Cannington."

.

Read recent AWU news item about mine safety

• BHP Cannington mine fights for silence - newspaper report

• Miners Union denied free access to workers at isolated BHP Cannington mine

• Govt must eliminate artificial restrictions on competent union OHS people