BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) has commenced the process of renegotiating the BMA Enterprise Agreement 2012 that covers over 2000 employees at five of its Bowen Basin mines.
The Agreement (EA2012) has a nominal expiry date of 26 October 2015. BMA today issued Notices of Employee Representational Rights and has written to default bargaining representatives to arrange logistics associated with the negotiating process.
BMA Asset President Rag Udd said BMA was focused on delivering cost efficiencies and safe productivity improvements, and is seeking a simplified agreement to help achieve this.
“It’s a very challenging time in the coal sector as prices have deteriorated significantly in recent years. This year alone prices have declined by 25-30 per cent and we expect low prices to continue in the medium term,” Mr Udd said.
“The current agreement was finalised in a market environment with considerably higher prices and margins. It involved a lengthy and costly process that must not be repeated.
“While we have made progress over the past three years in increasing productivity at BMA, we must do considerably more to ensure our operations are globally competitive.
“It is important that our employment arrangements support our continued efforts to boost the productive capacity of our mines to compete globally and, as a result can continue to provide employment for the 9000 people who work for BMA in Queensland.
“We will be engaging with our employees throughout this process to ensure they understand the industry’s wider market context and receive accurate and timely information about the negotiations.”
BACKGROUND ABOUT THE DISCUSSIONS PRIOR TO THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS
The Notice of Employee Representational Rights is a formal process under the Fair Work Act to commence the bargaining process. In accordance with these notices, BMA is seeking coverage of its Enterprise Agreements that support our business focus:
– Gregory Crinum underground mine will not be included as it is ceasing operations in December 2015; and
– Norwich Park mine which was placed into care and maintenance in 2012.
– A separate Enterprise Agreement to cover its Blackwater Mine that supports operations at that mine with its lower quality coal products which receive lower prices.
Watch the unions fuck this up for everyone people need to realise the boom is over time to get back to reality!
So you’d to a better job Riley Macenaey ?
I work for the company I know the ins and outs time people woke up the unions have done a lot of good don’t get me wrong! But in the bigger picture now they cause situations to create money for themselves wake up to it!
So your staff are you
So where do you work?
Where did Riley go?
Unions are obsolete
Riley Macenaey I do not know u but if it was not 4 the unions u b getting payed fuck all unions do not fuck it 4 the world it cunts like u
Riley would be at caval or Daunia the mines that are being propped up until after this ea is done, then will be closed.
Yep I work 4 Bma I 1 of the ppl who there r fucking over at blackwater
If u did have the unions u b like a dog cunts that put shit on the unions us dog fucker the unions.got we got 2 dat
Me
mfimmmmm
Will be interesting to see what the union does and how many people they keep after the ea.
Joshua which mine you working on? I bet you like you working entitlements and conditions? You know where they came from?
Left the industry 4 months ago for good. I know who you are buddy, but i stand by the fact that i do not agree with unions and you are not going to help anyone over the next few years. The best chance your BMA members will have of keeping a job is the union disbanding. In my humble opinion.
Josh your entitled to your opinion and unfortunately for you its blinded by your dislike for the union. The same one which ensured the condition and entitlements you enjoyed when you worked in the industry. In relation to your views on disbanding to keep a job is frankly a comment based on not knowing how it all works and how companies do business. The industry is better off without those who are only interested in ones own self interest. Anyway enjoy you’re retirement
Hahaha these lads shit talking the CFMEU are brave.
You guys crack me up without unions you guys would be sleeping in a tent with no Foxtel no private bathroom no smoko and just a bowel of rice for tea plus you would be getting payed $50,000 a year on a 4/1 roster stop kidding yourselves mining companies are not charities and they will take what they can off you at every EBA switch on your brains and start thinking about your mining future these big companies cry poor but they still make billions a year in profit.
And pay stuff all if any taxes !
Joshua McEwan your a tossa with no idea
Stephen Smyth Josh was working at Millennium mine and benefiting greatly from the union
Stuart thanks
I can’t understand why everyone thinks they need the union ? I work on a none Union site and we do quit well , maybe if the old school way and thinking was dropped you’d all be a lot better off !!!!! Just my opinion
Mick one question did you receive the entitlements and wages due to what the unions have achieved and continue to achieve for all workers?
Thanks Stuart Kerr, how are you buddy? Good win by the cowbs mate, you know how i feel about this subject also i was always vocal about it even when surrounded. I worked in WA too, no union good pay and conditions (bhp) Stephen Smyth. I would put it to you that increases in pay and conditions were more of a direct result of market forces (but the union will claim responsibility) and as the crash unfolds pay and conditions will decrease due to market forces and the union will blame the coal crash. I mean i know you boys lost the BMA dunia guys a packet by carrying on. I know that you have customers that you need you service mate, so do what you need to do and thank for allowing me my opinion.
Josh unfortunately you have missed the points and how it all works. So what did Dauina guys lose? Thats fine and expected. If you understand how a union works that would be of assistance as you might make an informed comment. Enjoy your retirement