Security operators at BHP's coal mines in Queensland are contemplating a strike, while train drivers at the iron ore operations in Western Australia are holding back from a proposed strike. The situation has put BHP, a prominent Australian resource company, on alert.
Approximately 70-80 open-cut overseers (OCOs) at five BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) coal mines are currently engaged in a vote to decide whether to proceed with a strike. The voting process will conclude on October 20. If the safety OSCOs decide to stop work simultaneously, it could lead to a suspension of operations across all mines. According to Australian law, the OCO union is required to provide BMA with at least a week's notice before any planned stoppages. BHP is actively seeking a negotiated agreement with OCO, and the next meeting is scheduled for December 13.
Meanwhile, train drivers at BHP's iron ore mining operation in Western Australia had previously voted in favor of a strike in October, but no action has been taken yet. Members of the Mining and Energy Union have collectively decided to abstain from strike action while a vote is underway among its members to determine whether to accept BHP's proposal. The proposal includes considerations such as wage increases and other provisions.
BHP has aligned itself with other mining entities, including the Minerals Council of Australia, in denouncing a recently passed federal law mandating equal pay for all individuals performing the same job. The contentious legislation has sparked widespread criticism and is becoming a focal point of discussions between mining companies and labor unions. The industrial landscape in Australia's resource sector remains tense, with stakeholders closely watching the outcomes of these ongoing negotiations.
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