Fed: BHP coal miners out on two day strike

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2000
Fed: BHP coal miners out on two day strike

SYDNEY, Aug 28 AAP - Workers at five BHP coal mines in two states have walked off the
job for 48 hours in a long-running pay dispute.

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union spokesman Tony Maher said workers at
a sixth coal mine may strike later this week.

About 1,000 workers walk off the job at the Crinum coal mine and the Hay Point Coal
Loader in Queensland and the Appin, Tower and Cordeaux mines in New South Wales late last
night.

Gregory mine staff in Queensland would join the strike action if talks with BHP ordered
by the Industrial Relations Commission fail this week.

Staff are seeking a 15 per cent wage rise over two years, increased superannuation
payments and security of employment provisions.

Mr Maher said claims pursued by workers at the six mining operations were supported
by staff at the other seven BHP coal mines in NSW and Queensland.

BHP said strikes affect its competitive ability in the market place.

"We are extremely disappointed the stoppage is going ahead considering the company
and the unions have been bargaining in good faith," a spokeswoman for the company said.

"The strike does nothing to support our business, undermines our competitive position
and can only be counter-productive."

But Mr Maher said workers had not had a wage increase from the company since 1996 and
no superannuation increases since 1992.

"BHP is Australia's largest coal producer and coal is Australia's largest export so
this is a pretty serious issue for the company," he said.

"I bet BHP's competitors are happy."

The BHP spokeswoman said industrial action posed a serious threat to the company's
ability to remain competitive.

AAP sal/cjh

KEYWORD: BHP DAYLEAD

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