Same Job Same Pay: $17 million in pay rises start this week

Mining and Energy Union

Over 600 labour hire coal miners in NSW and Queensland will see their pay packets increase significantly this week due to Same Job Same Pay laws that took effect on Friday.

The Fair Work Commission issued Regulated Labour Hire Arrangement Orders covering Coppabella, German Creek, Poitrel (Queensland) and Boggabri (NSW) mines on Friday, to take effect from today. These are in addition to an order previously issued for Callide mine, which took effect from Friday.

The orders were all made following applications by the Mining and Energy Union.

Cumulatively, the orders made so far are estimated to deliver approximately $17 million in annual pay rises for the affected labour hire workers.

Applications for a further 19 coal mines are still before the Fair Work Commission.

Queensland labour hire coal mine operator Tania Henshall is one of those who will see her pay increase from this week, with a pay rise in the vicinity of $20,000 a year.

“This is life changing for a labour hire worker like me. I do the same job and face the same level of risk as permanent workers. This pay rise helps me support my family including with education.”

MEU General Secretary Grahame Kelly said more applications would follow.

“Pay rises will start to flow to labour hire workers in their next pay packet. This is a great milestone.

“We will continue to make Same Job Same Pay applications at mine sites and work towards stamping out the labour hire rort that has allowed big mining companies to drive down pay, conditions and job security.”

media@meu.org.au