Skip to content
Industrial Relations, Oil Mining Resources

Byerwen mine workers traumatised by second fatality in three weeks

Mining and Energy Union < 1 mins read
  • Media:

Workers at Byerwen coal mine have been left traumatised following a second worker fatality in less than three weeks.

Queensland District President Mitch Hughes said workers felt a horrible sense of déjà vu when they received the news. 

“Workers have not even had a chance to properly process the fatality of Chris Schloss who they lost less than three weeks ago.

“When they found out another one of their workmates died at the mine, it was earth shattering. MEU members we have spoken to this afternoon just can’t comprehend it.  

The fatality occurred when a 793 truck ran over a light vehicle at around 1:00pm today.

Paramedics and emergency services attended the site but were unable to revive the worker. 

Mr Hughes said that today’s events showed that QCoal and MacMahon cannot be trusted to operate safely. 

“The MEU believes that the only reasonable course of action is for QCoal to cease operations immediately. 

“As for QCoal’s future, unless they can demonstrate that they can operate safely, we believe that their license for the mining lease should be removed.”

Mr Hughes said that in the immediate term QCoal should organise travel home for all workers, and provide them with whatever support they require, along with a commitment to paying workers as normal.

The MEU extends our deepest condolences to the friends and family of those involved.

More from this category

  • Industrial Relations, Union
  • 23/02/2025
  • 15:28
Manufacturing Division CFMEU

Hundreds of Timber Workers to leave CFMEU

23February 2025 MEDIA RELEASE Hundreds ofTimberWorkers to Vote to LEAVE THE CFMEU Hundreds ofTimberWorkersin the Snowy Valleysare expected to vote in a demerger ballot which will see them establish their own Union, the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU). The secret ballot run by the Australian Electoral Commission opens on the 24thof February and will run to the 14thof April. Currentlytimber workers (including those making pulp and paper products)are members of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division – with that Division’s members now voting across the country to leave the CFMEU and get their own union. “Our members have been clear, they…

  • Industrial Relations, Union
  • 23/02/2025
  • 13:51
Manufacturing Division CFMEU

Hundreds of Timber and Pulp & Paper Workers to Vote to LEAVE THE CFMEU

23February 2025 MEDIA RELEASE Hundreds ofTimber and Pulp & PaperWorkers to Vote to LEAVE THE CFMEU Hundreds ofSouth-East SATimberandPulp andPaperWorkers are expected to vote in a demerger ballot which will see them establish their own Union, the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU). The secret ballot run by the Australian Electoral Commission opens on the 24thof February and will run to the 14thof April. CurrentlyTimber and Pulp & PaperWorkers are members of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division – with that Division’s members now voting across the country to leave the CFMEU and get their own union. “We expect a high voter…

  • Industrial Relations, Union
  • 23/02/2025
  • 13:43
Manufacturing Division CFMEU

Hundreds of Tassie Timber Workers to Vote to LEAVE THE CFMEU

895 23February 2025 MEDIA RELEASE Hundreds ofTassie TimberWorkers to Vote to LEAVE THE CFMEU Hundreds ofTasmanian timber workers are expected to vote in a demerger ballot which will see them establish their own Union, the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU). The secret ballot run by the Australian Electoral Commission opens on the 24thof February and will run to the 14thof April. CurrentlyTasmanian TimberWorkers are members of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division – with that Division’s members now voting across the country to leave the CFMEU and get their own union. “We expect a high voter turn out and a big…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.