Glencore locks out Oaky North miners, docks pay

Oaky North miners have been locked out of their own workplace by Multinational mining giant Glencore.

Protected industrial action by employees continued this week as Glencore refused to budge on unfair provisions in the replacement workplace agreement under negotiation.

The deal Glencore is proposing still would remove workers’ access to workplace representation in some cases, among a range of other issues.

Chris Brodsky, Queensland District Vice President of CFMEU Mining and Energy division said workers would not be intimidated and the fight for decent conditions would continue.

“This threatening behaviour from Glencore is unacceptable. Workers should not feel threatened for simply exercising their right to protest.

“This is just another example of how Glencore treats its workforce.”

The proposed agreement would:

• Limit workers’ access to workplace representatio
• Allow them to unilaterally change rosters against the wishes of employees
• Pay workers based on profit, not hours and work
• Increase the cost of company’s accommodation for workers
• Limit the ability of employees to have some matters determined by arbitration

“Workers are not asking for anything more than they are entitled to and with coal prices on the rise, Glencore has no excuse whatsoever for trying to strip workers of their basic right.”

Media contact: Tim O’Halloran 0409 059 617