The Mining and Energy Union has condemned Peabody Energy after the company entered into an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman following the repayment of almost $5 million in unpaid wages, superannuation and interest to 197 current and former workers.
The undertaking comes as Peabody remains embroiled in bitter, protracted enterprise agreement negotiations with workers at its United Wambo washery in the NSW Hunter Valley, where employees have been subjected to repeated lockouts during enterprise bargaining.
MEU General President Grahame Kelly said this was exactly the sort of behaviour Australian workers had come to expect from Peabody.
"While this American multinational has spent months locking out workers in an attempt to bully them into accepting less at the bargaining table, it has now also entered into an Enforceable Undertaking after rectifying almost $5 million in unpaid wages, superannuation and interest.
"Peabody may have finally paid what it owed, but this is another example of a company that only seems to do the right thing when it's forced to.
"Whether it's denying workers their lawful entitlements or locking workers out to pressure them during enterprise bargaining, the pattern is the same: putting corporate interests ahead of the workers who create the company's wealth.
"Australian mineworkers deserve employers that respect their workforce, obey the law and bargain in good faith."