July 30, 2024
Blast crews employed by Orica at Boggabri mine have voted up a new improved enterprise agreement which will deliver five-figure pay rises in the first year after growing union density on site.
The new agreement includes:
- 20 to 26% percentage increase in the first year, depending on classification
- Improved year on year increases in subsequent years
- Provision of total load allowance.
Orica Delegate Trent Donoghue and Brad Gander were on the bargaining committee. Trent said that the new agreement would deliver pay rises depending on classification, bringing Orica shotfirer’s conditions up to the top end of industry standards in the coal industry across Australia and contains all provisions of the Black Coal Award.
“We’ve been advised that this is one of the greatest cumulative percentage increases that we’ve ever won, and members are incredibly pleased by what we have accomplished.
Trent said that negotiations were so fruitful due to building density on site, increased union activity and strong leadership from the union.
“On my crew for example we grew density from around 60% to over 90%.
“Our local Organiser Adam Lain was instrumental in highlighting to non-union members the benefits of union membership and also the benefits of union density, especially with upcoming EA negotiations. Adam was able to achieve this over multiple site visits prior to and during negotiations.”
Trent said that an important gain was the total load allowance which blast crews were previously excluded from.
“As blast crews we perform ‘down the hole’ functions, but we also perform work that spans all aspects of the explosives loading process. The work we do is also very physically demanding so to have that recognised through the total load allowance is very important.
“We’ve been able to achieve a lot working together. We really need to send a massive shout out to District Vice President Mick Taggart for his leadership and guidance on this matter. We would not have got this outcome without his support which was instrumental to our success.”
Mick Taggart said that this win highlighted the importance of people coming together through the union to negotiate a better deal and that union involvement is key to workers improving their position.
100% of eligible workers voted ‘yes’ to the new agreement.