Mining and Energy Union to address media in Rockhampton on Wednesday 12 July at 1:00pm
Mining and Energy Union (MEU) ads supporting the Albanese Government’s proposed Same Job Same Pay laws will be running across Central Queensland TV, press and social media from today.
MEU Queensland District President Stephen Smyth said the campaign would support better pay for labour hire workers and challenge mining company scare campaigns.
“The Minerals Council and employer groups have put out disgracefully misleading information about Same Job Same Pay.
“Mining companies engineered the exploitative labour hire business model and they don’t like being called out on it. They are trying to confuse people about Same Job Same Pay, but we are committed to getting the message out into regional Queensland about how this legislation will benefit workers and their communities.”
Mr Smyth said that Same Job Same Pay would be especially important for workers across the Central Queensland coalfields, with many employed through labour hire companies including BHP’s Operations Services.
Mr Smyth said that BHP’s admission that closing the labour hire loophole will cost them $1.3 billion showed how much they have taken out of workers’ and communities’ pockets by relying on lower-paid labour hire workers rather than direct employees.
Mining and Energy Union members in Operations Services have recently been engaging in protected industrial action across various QLD BHP sites to improve their substandard pay and conditions.
“We have workers in BHP Operations Services who are paid just above the Award rate with minimal guaranteed conditions, meanwhile direct BHP employees covered by the BMA Central Agreement are paid up to $30,000 to $50,000 more per year despite doing the same job,” said Mr Smyth.
“Large mining companies are using loopholes to reduce wages and drive down conditions. We encourage all workers who want to end this rort to get on board and help make sure Same Job Same Pay becomes a reality.”
Download high res version of TV ad
Queensland Senator, Nita Green said she is pleased to be a part of a Government dedicated to closing this loophole.
“The Albanese Government was elected on a promise to get wages moving. To do that we need to close the loopholes that are undermining wages.
“That’s what our next set of reforms is all about. We want to crack down on cowboy labour hire firms, criminalise wage theft, make sure casuals aren’t being exploited and make sure gig workers aren’t being ripped off.”
Contact: Steve Smyth 0405 285 547
MEDIA ALERT
Who: MEU QLD District President Stephen Smyth, Senator Nita Green, Labour hire mineworkers
Date: Wednesday 12 July
Time: 1:00pm
Where: MEU Rockhampton Office – 5/156 Bolsover Street
Photo opportunity: There will also be a photo opportunity with a delegation of workers holding signs and banners.
Media contact: 0405 285 547 / Jackie Woods 0414 241 483
