Key Facts:
Hi res images of workers avaiable on request.
The Mining and Energy Union has condemned multinational coal giant Peabody for moving to an indefinite lockout of workers at the Wambo Coal Handling Preparation Plant, accusing the company of deliberately inflicting financial hardship on workers to force them into accepting a substandard agreement.
Workers were due to return to work today after serving two weeks locked out by the company. Instead, Peabody has made the deliberate decision to continue refusing work and wages to employees indefinitely unless they abandon part of their lawful protected industrial action.
MEU Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams said today’s move exposed the reality behind Peabody’s claims that the lockout was a reluctant last resort.
“Just days ago Peabody said this lockout was ‘not taken lightly’ and that it had ‘no viable alternative’. Today it had to make that decision again. And it chose to continue it.
“This isn’t something that’s happening to Peabody. This is something Peabody is choosing to do.”
Mr Williams said the company’s actions were impossible to reconcile with its public claims.
“Peabody can’t have it both ways. It tells the public protected industrial action isn’t affecting production and the plant continues to meet its contractual obligations, but at the same time claims it has no choice but to lock out employees because of that same industrial action.
“Today’s announcement proves this is an elective bargaining tactic.”
Mr Williams said the decision was particularly galling given Peabody’s treatment of its executives.
“This is a multinational corporation prepared to leave Australian workers and their families without an income for a month, while its Chief Executive has received a pay increase of almost 30 per cent in just one year.
“Workers are being locked out and told to tighten their belts for asking not to go backwards, while those at the top are rewarded. It says everything about Peabody’s priorities.”
“This multinational may think using workers’ livelihoods as a weapon is acceptable. maybe that’s how it works in America, but it’s not the Australian way. We resolve disputes through good-faith negotiation, not by using workers’ mortgages and grocery bills as leverage.”
The Union said the dispute could be resolved quickly if the company made a fair offer instead of trying to pressure workers into accepting an agreement they have repeatedly rejected.
“Our members want to be back at work, but this won’t force them into accepting a bad agreement. If anything, it’s strengthened their resolve to stand together for a fair deal.
“The quickest way to end this dispute is to stop refusing work from employees, end the lockout and negotiate a fair agreement instead of trying to starve workers into submission.”
