AWU Members Send a Clear Message To Glencore

The Australian Workers’ Union said the results of the ballot was a huge win for workers at Mount Isa Mines and Ernest Henry Mine, saying Glencore’s dodgy proposed EBAs have been overwhelmingly rejected by AWU members.

Under Glencore’s proposed EBA, Ernest Henry Mine and Mount Isa Mine workers would miss out on a guaranteed pay rise for the life of the agreement, with the agreement also failing to take action on other key issues facing the workforce.

AWU Queensland Branch Secretary Steve Baker said with a significant majority of workers voting to reject the Agreements, AWU members have sent Glencore a clear message that they deserve a better deal from a company making $15.8 billion a year.

“AWU members perform a tough, hard job to keep these mines running – the very least they deserve is a fair pay rise,” Steve said.

“AWU members at Mount Isa Mines and Ernest Henry Mine do tough, hard jobs which create huge profits for Glencore.

“The very least they deserve is a fair pay rise that helps them keep up with the cost of living and rewards their hard work.”

Steve Baker added that the AWU remains willing and ready to negotiate workplace agreements that locked in a fair pay rise and working conditions for AWU members while securing the long-term future of Ernest Henry and Mount Isa Mines.

“We’re not in the business of making companies unproductive or unprofitable – we just want our members to get paid what they deserve,” Steve added.

“We’ll be holding discussions with Glencore in the coming days and making it clear that AWU members won’t accept another dodgy offer.

“Glencore needs to come back to the bargaining table with a decent offer that locks in a pay rise and addresses key issues in the workforce.”