Griffin Coal Workers 43% Pay Cut

[GazzF6]

The rapidly changing pace of mining.... Now well under paid?

THE Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) has condemned a decision handed down by the Fair Work Commission on 9 June, which will see 70 maintenance workers at the Griffin coal mine in Collie, cop a massive 43 per cent pay cut with the stroke of a pen.

The Fair Work Commission has approved an application by The Griffin Coal Mining Company, to terminate the current enterprise agreement between the company and maintenance workers at the mine after its nominal expiry date on July, 10 2016.

After 12 months of protracted negotiations, over which time Griffin has continually tried to cut pay and strip back the working conditions and entitlements fairly negotiated by workers over many years, the Fair Work Commission has ruled that, in the “public interest” the agreement should be terminated as of July 10.

At which time, maintenance workers will then revert back to the Black Coal Mining Industry Award (2010), resulting in a massive 43 per cent pay cut and the loss of entitlements and conditions.

AMWU State Secretary, Steve McCartney, described the decision as an outrageous attack on the workers and their families, and a kick in the guts to the whole Collie community.

“How can the Fair Work Commission describe this decision as being in the “public interest”, when its the workers, their families and the whole Collie community who will suffer as a result of this company’s poor business practices,” he said.

“Here we have a foreign-owned, multi national company, who have run this operation into the ground, and now thanks to the Fair Work Commission Griffin are able to walk away from their responsibility to their workforce and the town.

“In the end, this decision means it will be the Collie community who pay the price for Griffin’s ineptitude.”

Mr McCartney also criticised the Barnett Government’s lack of transition plan for Collie and the local coal mining industry.

“Is the Barnett Government going to just stand by and see these workers, their families and the town of Collie suffer because of the business failings of Griffin Coal?,” he said.

“Its obvious the Barnett Government doesn’t have a transition plan for Collie and the coal mining industry, and they seem determined to sit on their hands and let the town die.

“The AMWU won’t be deserting these workers or Collie, and we’ll be seeking an injunction and appealing the decision to the full bench, as well as pursuing a fair replacement agreement for these workers.”

[Express]

Where did this article come from as it only tells one side of the story?

It’s impossible to make a judgement on who’s right or wrong when we are not even told what the public interest reasons are that the Fair Work Commission has based this decision on.

[Highway star]

How much are they getting now? If it's anything like here in Qld most coal miners had their 150K salaries slashed or lost their jobs. Anyone working for labour hire companies now are getting around 40-45 p/hr tops with no perks. When has the mining cycle ever been any different? 10 years up 10 years down. I'm just glad I don't work directly in that industry anymore, but it does effect reliant communities and other work force employers.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Highway star

How much are they getting now? If it's anything like here in Qld most coal miners had their 150K salaries slashed or lost their jobs. Anyone working for labour hire companies now are getting around 40-45 p/hr tops with no perks. When has the mining cycle ever been any different? 10 years up 10 years down. I'm just glad I don't work directly in that industry anymore, but it does effect reliant communities and other work force employers.

Exactly. Crocodile tears my friend. While these guys do work in remote area's and do have to endure time away from family they;

1. Still make a good living compared to more urban jobs
2. In most cases have a roster and some one 7/7 work LESS than half the year and still get paid more than people on 5/2
3. Are not forced to do it

The problem has risen where these people, even though earning good coin, finance themselves to far and then when this happens they cry poor..hmm

The above does not apply to all but from my experience is pretty close to the truth.

[Stefan]

Down turn in the industry, reduction in coal prices and subsequently turnover.

But Union demands worker keep exorbitant pay and entitlements.

Company goes broke and leaves..

Sounds like Unions are not yet satisfied with ruining manufacturing, mining has to go to.

[NAK302]

it's funny how the unions got so quickly blamed here.
in my previous job working for a huge coal mining company there were 3 collective bargaining periods over 12 years. each and every one of those periods had that company stalling negotiations by up to 18 months over the wording and interpretation of the document. never once was there a wage/bonus claim from the 3 representing unions.
some of you may need to do a bit of research on union history and company bosses in the coal mining industry before "judging" from a little news snippet or watching ch9 6pm news.

i bet the workers don't get a 43% pay rise when the coal prices double in a few years time.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by NAK302

it's funny how the unions got so quickly blamed here.
in my previous job working for a huge coal mining company there were 3 collective bargaining periods over 12 years. each and every one of those periods had that company stalling negotiations by up to 18 months over the wording and interpretation of the document. never once was there a wage/bonus claim from the 3 representing unions.
some of you may need to do a bit of research on union history and company bosses in the coal mining industry before "judging" from a little news snippet or watching ch9 6pm news.

i bet the workers don't get a 43% pay rise when the coal prices double in a few years time.

Explain to me how they got the pay they are on now then? Read the article for the answer. They obviously received a pay rise at some stage.

I have plenty of dealings with unions....and in most cases found them to be shortsighted to the ultimate detriment of the workforce they are apparently representing.

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by NAK302

it's funny how the unions got so quickly blamed here.
in my previous job working for a huge coal mining company there were 3 collective bargaining periods over 12 years. each and every one of those periods had that company stalling negotiations by up to 18 months over the wording and interpretation of the document. never once was there a wage/bonus claim from the 3 representing unions.
some of you may need to do a bit of research on union history and company bosses in the coal mining industry before "judging" from a little news snippet or watching ch9 6pm news.

i bet the workers don't get a 43% pay rise when the coal prices double in a few years time.

I'm not taking a side yet, as this article only tells one side of the story

Your post how ever seems to be full of the typical union venom, your talking about the mining industry history, but not this particular company.

I'm sure the company's out for everything it can, but I switch off really quickly when I hear the crying the union does talking about the problems from generations ago.

Was it a question of pay cut or job cut?

What the unions often fail to see is if the company shuts the mine because it's not profitable everyone's out of a job and the town the area is in suffers as a result. If the guys on the ground are massively over paid as a result of the mining boom that has now come to an end and a 43% brings them back inline with rest of the country for the job.

I know I lost mechanics to the mines because my industry couldn't charge the guys out for the rate they were earning in the mines. Some of them I would have loved to have been able to pay what the mines were paying to keep them, but to make it work I would have had to charge them out at $200 an hour and the market wouldn't cut it.

Funny thing is 18months later saw some knocking on the door looking for a job because the mining industry wasn't paying any more, some of these guys would have taken more than a 43% cut after you took in to account allowances they got.

I'm not pro union, in fact I double check everything they say, because often it's full of half truths, personally my 'comrades' and I were screwed over royally by our union, based on a one sided study. This was in favour of an other group of comrades in the same union. And as a result I copped a lot of **** from them

Put simply the only time I have ever experienced work place bullying it was at the hands of the union.

[Eaturbo]

I've just finished a 12 hour night shift on a coal mine. Most people that comment have never set foot on a mining lease yet seam to know everything about a miners life and income. These bloke were on mid $125k and now down to $75k approx. People also crap on about how they only work half a year. Well a Monday to Friday job with all your public holidays is only 3/4 of a year and you only work 8 hour days. In 7 days I work more hours than a person working in town for two weeks. If these companies were so broke than why are all the big bosses still getting paid millions. Seams like it always the poor worker who has to suffer first.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Eaturbo

I've just finished a 12 hour night shift on a coal mine. Most people that comment have never set foot on a mining lease yet seam to know everything about a miners life and income. These bloke were on mid $125k and now down to $75k approx. People also crap on about how they only work half a year. Well a Monday to Friday job with all your public holidays is only 3/4 of a year and you only work 8 hour days. In 7 days I work more hours than a person working in town for two weeks. If these companies were so broke than why are all the big bosses still getting paid millions. Seams like it always the poor worker who has to suffer first.

I work 5/2 and still do 12 hours days....not because I want to but because thats whats required. These days most are doing the job of two/three with staff reductions.

Mining is a league of its own then it comes to bonuses and wages. The site I am at is not that bad but one I recall had a safety bonus of ~$500 p/w in the boom to make sure workers "worked" safe...seriously! That should be a given.

Everyone is doing it tough but if we want this industry, and the companies in it to keep going then we need to bend too.

I havent even had a CPI rise in the 3 years, but thats not just mining.

I think you will find alot of these changes are to weed the glut that was in the industry, they hired literally anyone. There is also a push to get people living closer to mines which isnt a bad thing either. Problem with that is there are two mines within our business that are finding it hard to fill positions because no one wants the roster thats not 7/7. Who would have guess with all the layoffs.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Eaturbo

These bloke were on mid $125k and now down to $75k approx.

oh the poor souls.

i'd love to be on $75k/yr

Originally Posted by Polyal

I havent even had a CPI rise in the 3 years, but thats not just mining.

my last payrise was $1/hr nearly 6 years ago, and before that it was 4 years, so in the last 10 years its gone up $40/week. i earn less now than i did 10years ago as overtime has also dried up.

i'm in the printing industry.

many industries are doing it extremely tough, but only a handful make the news. hardly going to shed a tear over some overpaid mine workers suddenly back in the real world.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by prydey

oh the poor souls.

i'd love to be on $75k/yr

It's all relative, I have to pay ~$2/litre for petrol.

Don't even ask about food prices, I pay $5 for a bottle of milk!

The cost of living in WA is completely out of whack with the rest of Australia.

No I don't work on the mines, just a hard working broadacre farmer.

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

It's all relative, I have to pay ~$2/litre for petrol.

Don't even ask about food prices, I pay $5 for a bottle of milk!

The cost of living in WA is completely out of whack with the rest of Australia.

No I don't work on the mines, just a hard working broadacre farmer.

generally I agree with you I work in WA quite a bit and its the most expensive **** coffee in the country

but I pay nearly $5 for a bottle of Dariy farmers milk and petrol at my local servo was $1.38 for E10 when I was driving home last night (haven't looked today)

and I'm in western sydney

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

It's all relative, I have to pay ~$2/litre for petrol.

Don't even ask about food prices, I pay $5 for a bottle of milk!

The cost of living in WA is completely out of whack with the rest of Australia.

No I don't work on the mines, just a hard working broadacre farmer.

And you pay those prices because the area is full of miners earning ridiculous pay that they are just not worth.

Example. I lived in Karratha in WA in 2002 working in the Army as a advanced medic and often on patrol throughout the Pilbara region (it is a surveillance unit). During patrols I was working in very tough conditions in up to 50 degree heat with limited water supply. I did all this for an income of <$60K, I had all the skills and more of an industrial paramedic. The medics from the iron ore mines were earning near on $100k more than me for doing less clinical work, with less training and sitting in an air-conditioned office most of the day. Why, apparently their job was dangerous, spent time away from their family and they lived in a remote area. I can guarantee the rate of injury/death in the army far exceeds the mining industry, I operated in far more remote areas and I spent far more time away from my family.

Because of the pays the mining and construction in the area were giving out prices for everything rocketed out of control. Petrol was $1.60-$1.70 from memory, food was expensive and my rent for a 4x2 house was $1500/week. Due to the money grab that was going on as everyone wanted a piece of the boom, the ones that suffered were the ones not getting the money. Meanwhile all the miners and construction workers getting the big buck bought up Harley's, Ford F350 4x4 with $60k of mods and boats. Then from the door of their jacked up F350 towing a massive boat they complained about the cost of fuel.

The same thing has happened here in Gladstone, houses were built at crazy prices as everyone wanted a piece of the boom and rent went through the roof. Want an example of the effect of the boom here, have a look at the size of the Harley dealership here. Now the down turn has hit, construction has ceased because it is no longer financially viable and as a result the vacancy rate of those houses is high, rents are down and people are defaulting on loans. Unemployment is high, crime goes up, health deteriorates etc. But now it is the governments fault that the boom is over.

I would be very interested in what these poor coal miners in Collie (which is not a remote area) were earning then and now. The reality is that 43% is probably just a rationalisation from ridiculous pay to something closer to what they are actually worth.

[mcflux]

Originally Posted by geckoGT

And you pay those prices because the area is full of miners earning ridiculous pay that they are just not worth.

Example. I lived in Karratha in WA in 2002 working in the Army as a advanced medic and often on patrol throughout the Pilbara region (it is a surveillance unit). During patrols I was working in very tough conditions in up to 50 degree heat with limited water supply. I did all this for an income of <$60K, I had all the skills and more of an industrial paramedic. The medics from the iron ore mines were earning near on $100k more than me for doing less clinical work, with less training and sitting in an air-conditioned office most of the day. Why, apparently their job was dangerous, spent time away from their family and they lived in a remote area. I can guarantee the rate of injury/death in the army far exceeds the mining industry, I operated in far more remote areas and I spent far more time away from my family.

What's the likelihood of you being made redundant? $60k (or CPI equivalent over time) for life sounds better than $100k for 5 years not knowing if you have a job the next day...

As for injury-related death rates: http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/...-2010-2014.pdf

MINING

Total deaths 2010: 5 Deaths per 100,000 2010: 2.7

Total deaths 2011: 6 Deaths per 100,000 2011: 2.7

Total deaths 2012: 8 Deaths per 100,000 2012: 3.0

Total deaths 2013: 8 Deaths per 100,000 2013: 3.0

Total deaths 2014: 10 Deaths per 100,000 2014: 4.0

DEFENCE

Total deaths 2010: 1 Deaths per 100,000 2010: 3.4

Total deaths 2011: 3 Deaths per 100,000 2011: 9.7

Total deaths 2012: 1 Deaths per 100,000 2012: 3.1

Total deaths 2013: 1 Deaths per 100,000 2013: 3.1

Total deaths 2014: 0 Deaths per 100,000 2014: 0

Finding results for suicides is difficult though. Both industries are fairly **** for suicides, mental health, family breakdown...

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by geckoGT

And you pay those prices because the area is full of miners earning ridiculous pay that they are just not worth.

Example. I lived in Karratha in WA in 2002 working in the Army as a advanced medic and often on patrol throughout the Pilbara region (it is a surveillance unit). During patrols I was working in very tough conditions in up to 50 degree heat with limited water supply. I did all this for an income of <$60K, I had all the skills and more of an industrial paramedic. The medics from the iron ore mines were earning near on $100k more than me for doing less clinical work, with less training and sitting in an air-conditioned office most of the day. Why, apparently their job was dangerous, spent time away from their family and they lived in a remote area. I can guarantee the rate of injury/death in the army far exceeds the mining industry, I operated in far more remote areas and I spent far more time away from my family.

Lots of people should be paid more than they get. Many of these people are paid by the government. Police, Paramedics, Fire brigade, nurses, teachers, etc.
Problem is these essential services don't earn a profit. Well not as much as the costs anyway.
Working in a mine is like working in any private business. They entire point of the company is to sell a product for a profit. If those profits are high, they have the money to pay employees a good wage.

I get paid double the amount my missus does, but she works harder than I do. I work for a private company while she works an essential service for the government. I guess the government could increase the wages of all their employees by increasing taxes, but no one would want more taxes.

Originally Posted by Spudz27

I only have one thing to say. As someone who earns under 40k, when I see miners (who I acknowledge work long shifts) get 2/1 or as my mums partner 1/1 rotations, g

1/1 sounds good in theory, but terrible in practice. I would want a few days off in a row. One on, one off would be a nightmare. You could never go away for the weekend because you would never get one.

[Wretched]

Could always come to Vic and work on the Tullamarine FWY as a road worker, $160k+.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/pa...01-gn7ezb.html

Or work in the La Trobe valley on around $180k
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vic...fabf5a70a4bd69

[Stefan]

The reality is supply and demand will dictate wages.

When mining was booming and labour shortages in the sector, every company was attracting a work force with better salaries and conditions. All you need was a pulse and you were on $100K minimum.

But now mining is in the toilet, it's back to reality. Salaries and conditions previously offered are no longer sustainable.

[BradZ]

Originally Posted by Stefan

The reality is supply and demand will dictate wages.

When mining was booming and labour shortages in the sector, every company was attracting a work force with better salaries and conditions. All you need was a pulse and you were on $100K minimum.

But now mining is in the toilet, it's back to reality. Salaries and conditions previously offered are no longer sustainable.

Couldn't agree more, my industry attracts all sorts but you aren't on the big bucks straight away which scares a lot of them away.

Stay for a while, let them send you to courses in Agricultural science, horticulture and agronomy and you're set! Your base wage increases every year no matter what but with some qualifications behind you it's even better.

Considering most of our product is exported as we out-supply Australia, dare I say the demand will always be there.

And yes, there's a huge difference between the wages on ground level and upper management, enough to make you sick!

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Stefan

The reality is supply and demand will dictate wages

It *should* dictate wages. But we are quasi-socialist here. If times are good, employees expect a share of the spoils. If there's a downturn, employees expect to remain on the same pay/conditions, and for their employer to have put money aside to ride out the downturn, so their job is not at risk. And when that job inevitably goes, its the employer that is blamed for bad management and failing their workforce.

You cant have your cake and eat it too....

[BradZ]

What goes up must come down it seems
My industry is rumored to be on the same path if the selling prices of our crop keeps rising.

I know right? Why would you not want more profit each year for no extra work? But with the industry booming as it is, everyone wants the prices to stay as they are.

It's at the point where we don't want to sell for any more in fear of a massive boom ( like mining) then crash.

Time will tell I guess, fingers crossed!

Guess the industry without cheating if you'd seen my comment on another thread haha


Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[Express]

Originally Posted by BradZ

Guess the industry without cheating if you'd seen my comment on another thread haha

Are you Maggie Beer?

[BradZ]

Originally Posted by Express

Are you Maggie Beer?

Im sure there's a subtle joke in that comment but I'm afraid I'm not following you lol

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[GazzF6]

Collie is regional WA town, no FIFO.
Most of the workers live in town 5km's from the mines, others travel from outlying towns 30-60km's away.

[JAJH]

Whether it's union backed or not, anytime you hear about big business pulling back on industry and either employees lose their job or are forced to take pay cuts, the one thing you never hear is the executives at the top taking a pay cut or losing their job! Shareholders don't always get a fair go either, market share & profitability dictate their dividend, but the good old boys club at the top keep raking in their over-inflated pay packets.
It's the corporate psychopaths who rule the world, not the governments.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by JAJH

Whether it's union backed or not, anytime you hear about big business pulling back on industry and either employees lose their job or are forced to take pay cuts, the one thing you never hear is the executives at the top taking a pay cut or losing their job! Shareholders don't always get a fair go either, market share & profitability dictate their dividend, but the good old boys club at the top keep raking in their over-inflated pay packets.
It's the corporate psychopaths who rule the world, not the governments.

What load of bollocks, you never hear about it because high end salary earners don't have a Union that bleeps about salary cuts or redundancies of Senior Management.

Less than 2 years ago, every salary earner in the multinational construction / Mining / Infrastructure company got a tap on the shoulder and asked to justify their position. Half got the boot, the other half took lesser rolls.

No it wasn't in the news...but it happened and happens regularly.

[JAJH]

Originally Posted by Stefan

What load of bollocks, you never hear about it because high end salary earners don't have a Union that bleeps about salary cuts or redundancies of Senior Management.

Less than 2 years ago, every salary earner in the multinational construction / Mining / Infrastructure company got a tap on the shoulder and asked to justify their position. Half got the boot, the other half took lesser rolls.

No it wasn't in the news...but it happened and happens regularly.

And you know this how? Are you privvy to the inner sanctions of the corporate world? I would bet there are many more execs who keep their jobs and pay packets than those on the lower rungs who don't.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by JAJH

And you know this how? Are you privvy to the inner sanctions of the corporate world? I would bet there are many more execs who keep their jobs and pay packets than those on the lower rungs who don't.

To be fair, you only ever hear about the exceptions in the media - badly run businesses where the executives award themselves remuneration that doesn't correlate with the company returns. Most businesses off the ASX would reduce pay accordingly for all staff during the bad times because the exec are the owners. I know that's what we do with our business.

[cheap]

Originally Posted by JAJH

And you know this how? Are you privvy to the inner sanctions of the corporate world? I would bet there are many more execs who keep their jobs and pay packets than those on the lower rungs who don't.

The company I'm contracting to is undergoing this right now! On seek.com they're advertising for dozen permanent senior management positions, each of the incumbents have been told their jobs are up for grabs, they can reapply for their own positions, best of luck...

[2011G6E]

Love the people laughing at the wealthy miners getting it in the neck...those rich ****** deserve it, what are they complaining about, they're crying crocodile tears, they choose to work in that job, blah blah blah...

Remember one little fact...

This was an official decision by the Fair Work system...which means it is now a precedent.

While you're feeling smug, you'd better hope your employer doesn't decide to save some money by going to the commission, crying poor, cancelling your workplace agreement, and reducing your wages...