August 29, 2025
Field service technicians at Komatsu’s Gunnedah branch in NSW are celebrating a new enterprise agreement that boosts pay and restores workers’ Coal Long Service Leave entitlements.
The new three-year deal marks the first MEU agreement for Komatsu workers in the Gunnedah region.
The agreement includes strong annual wage increases (5%, 4% and 3%), additional annual and personal leave, overtime paid on training, an increased redundancy cap, higher on-call allowances and even an extra public holiday on Easter Tuesday (miners picnic day).
It also strengthens job security with a rate comparison clause to ensure contractors are paid the same and can’t undercut permanents; and a strengthened dispute resolution clause.
Workers received their first boosted pay packet two weeks ago, along with over 12 months of backpay.
One of the most important wins for Komatsu workers was establishing their access to the Coal Long Service Leave scheme including recognition of existing leave balances.
Like many of his workmates, MEU delegate Joshua Dowse came to his role at Komatsu from working in the local coal industry.
Even though the Komatsu technicians are embedded on local coal mines at Boggabri and Maules Creek, they lost access to the Coal LSL scheme in taking jobs with Komatsu.
“Getting our Coal Long Service Leave recognised was massive,” he said. “I’m nearly ready to take mine, and now it’s backdated and counted. That’s something the boys really pushed for.”
While the Gunnedah Komatsu Enterprise Agreement had previously been negotiated by another union, Joshua said he and his workmates took note of the EA outcome for Komatsu field technicians at Mt Thorley Warkworth mine in the Hunter Valley, who recently joined the MEU and won a significantly improved pay deal.
He said joining the MEU gave the work crew a stronger voice at the bargaining table and they were very pleased with the outcome.
“For anyone who thinks the union’s a waste of money—this agreement proves otherwise,” said Joshua. “We wouldn’t be where we are without the union standing up for our conditions.”
MEU Northern Mining and NSW Energy District Vice President Michael Taggart said standing together through the MEU put the Komatsu Gunnedah team in a strong negotiating position which has paid off.
“This agreement delivers leading rates of pay for the Gunnedah Basin – the MEU Komatsu members should be proud of what they’ve achieved.
“Thanks also go to MEU Organiser Adam Lain who did a great job building membership among the group and ensuring they stayed informed.”