Common Cause - February 2021

February 2021

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Labour hire win: From SubZero to hero

Coal miner Kyle Warren and his workmates lost their jobs when labour hire contractor SubZero went bust. In an important blow to the 'permanent casual' rort, they have now had a big severance pay win recognising they were not genuine casuals.

Coal miners speak out against IR Omnibus Bill

Members of our Union have told a Senate hearing that the Morrison Government’s IR Omnibus Bill would make the casualisation crisis in mining worse, not better.

Close call: escape from a burning truck

Our latest podcast tells the story of a coal miner whose 200-tonne truck burst into flame underneath him. Hear the story of his escape ('like being rescued by Russell Coight') and an expert safety perspective.

Our Members at Tahmoor Mine in the Southern District have spoken out in support of a proposed extension that would secure its future for a decade. The project is currently under consideration by Independent Planning Commission of NSW. IPCN recently delivered a blow to regional mineworkers by rejecting an extension to nearby Dendrobium mine.

In Other News

The good, the bad and the dodgy: what you should know about enterprise bargaining

Collective bargaining over decades has delivered pay and conditions for coal miners well above legal minimums. But now, labour hire companies use sham bargaining to drive conditions down. Here’s your guide to how the system works – and where it is failing. Read More

Workers rattled after withdrawal from Moranbah North coal mine

Workers at Anglo’s Moranbah North mine are deeply concerned about the conditions that led to their withdrawal from the underground coal mine last weekend due to high gas and possible fire. Read More

2020 - Year in Review

Look back at 2020 with our Year In Review - a collection of the stories published in Common Cause last year. Read More

From the General Secretary

Convention to consider future for mining and energy workers

It's action stations in our National Office as we prepare for our National Convention next week. The format has been affected by COVID, but there are plenty of big issues up for discussion - like giving members a say over our future direction as a mining and energy union.