[miningmx.com] — MINERS at BHP Billiton’s Australian coal mines plan to continue work stoppages this week during the ballot period for an employee vote on a contract, a workers’ union said on Tuesday.
BHP Billiton-Mistubishi Alliance (BMA) mines have faced a series of work stoppages since the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) approved strike action in June in an effort to get greater job security and more pay for its members as rising commodity prices boost mining sector profits.
Miners at BMA’s Gregory and Crinum mines will hold several work stoppages on Saturday and Sunday, the union said.
Workers will vote on BHP’s proposed employee contract from Thursday September 29 through to October 12, a week longer than previously planned due to the timing of school holidays.
“BMA is unable to understand why the unions continue to send BMA notifications of industrial action during the ballot period as this directly conflicts with their stated aim of trying to maximise the opportunity for employees to lodge their vote,” BHP said in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
BHP’s proposed employee contract, which workers will vote on next week, would include a A$15,000 ($15,556) signing bonus paid over the course of a year as well as a 5% annual pay rise for three years, and some job security provisions, BHP has said.
