Dozens of outsourced employees secured a major wage increase and greater job security.
Twenty-seven labour hire workers recently won a $30,000 pay rise each plus permanent positions at MACH Energy Australia’s Mount Pleasant coal mine.
Thiess Australia agreed to directly employ the Programmed crew members after the Mining and Energy Union (MEU) made a Same Job Same Pay application to the Fair Work Commission (FWC). MEU withdrew its FWC application after achieving its objective.
“For years, these labour hire workers have been getting pay packets over $30,000 a year less than permanents doing the same work,” MEU northern mining and NSW energy district president Robin Williams said in a public statement.
“The mine operator has responded to our application by agreeing to employ them directly. Now not only will they get the same pay as the permanent employees they work next to, they will also get the same job security, conditions and entitlements.”
The Australian Council of Trade Unions applauded the workers on securing a better deal.
“Working people are being underpaid and exploited by labour hire companies across Australia. This case sets a precedent for other labour hire workers to also be paid fairly and win secure, permanent jobs,” acting secretary Liam O’Brien said.
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