July 27, 2022
Union campaigning has delivered 200 new permanent jobs at Grosvenor underground mine as Anglo abandons its 100% labour hire employment model. Workers have welcomed the opportunity for permanent shirts but are disappointed Anglo has opened applications externally.
The MEU is in discussions with Anglo about a draft Enterprise Agreement with industry-leading conditions to cover the new jobs.
This announcement is a win in the MEU’s campaign for more permanent jobs at what was a fully labour hire site. Since a devastating explosion in 2020 where 100% labour hire was found to be a contributing factor, Grosvenor workers have been increasing the Union’s presence on site and formed a new Lodge.
Grosvenor Lodge President Steve Hall said Anglo had committed to 200 new permanent jobs with another 70 to follow in a later intake. The production workforce of over 300 workers is currently employed through One key.
“We certainly welcome the opportunity for permanent shirts. It’s very disappointing Anglo has opened the process up for external applicants when they have a long-term loyal workforce who have been through a lot.
“Workers are now worried about whether they will get one of the new jobs or what their future will hold. In a dangerous environment, workers should just have to worry about what’s happening underground, not whether they have a job.”
The Lodge has been supporting members, keeping them up to date with information about the process.
District President Stephen Smyth said the union was pushing for a guarantee that no existing workers will lose their jobs through the process of replacing labour hire with permanent jobs.
Under the new model for Grosvenor, Anglo will continue to run one development panel through a contractor.
“We will keep advocating for the job security our members deserve. But apart from doing the right thing by workers who have been through so much, in the current climate of labour shortages in mining they simply won’t keep people who can’t see a pathway to a permanent EA job.”
This decision by Anglo is a big step in the right direction towards more permanent jobs. With the introduction of Same Job Same Pay laws, we hope to see more permanent jobs replacing insecure labour hire across the sector.