The Mining and Energy Union is demanding immediate action from Sanjeev Gupta’s SIMEC Mining after 250 labour hire workers at the Tahmoor Colliery were informed late on Friday that they would no longer be paid, leaving more than half the workforce without wages.
MEU South Western District President Bob Timbs said SIMEC has a clear choice: pay the bills and run the mine, or sell it.
“SIMEC need to pay RStar so they can pay their people,” Mr Timbs said. “They’ve paid all this money over the last nine months to keep the workforce intact and now what? either get the mine running again or get out of the way.”
Mr Timbs said Gupta’s company had strung the workforce along for months while refusing to make decisions about Tahmoor’s future.
“Workers have done their part. They deserve better than silence and excuses from a billionaire who’s lost interest,” he said. “If Gupta has no intention of operating Tahmoor, he should sell it to someone who will.”
The union has called for an urgent meeting with Mr Gupta, and one with the NSW Government to ensure action is taken if SIMEC continues to stall.
“If Gupta won’t sell it, then the NSW Government must intervene to ensure the mine can continue to operate in the interests of local jobs, the community and the NSW taxpayers,” Mr Timbs said.
“This has gone on long enough. Workers just want to do their jobs. Tahmoor is a quality asset with reserves of high-demand steelmaking coal waiting to be mined. It’s time for SIMEC to stop wasting everyone’s time and do the right thing.”
A meeting of affected staff will be held tomorrow, Tuesday 28th October 10am. Spokespeople for the company and workers will be made available, please contact us if you wish to attend.
Contact details:
Emily Holm
M 0400 382 271
E [email protected]