Anglo American will review its labour hire employment model at Grosvenor Mine

Labour hire practices at Queensland mines have been under attack for years. Now, one company that has created 130 new permanent jobs in six months is also reviewing its employment model.

Mining giant Anglo American will review its employment model for workers at Grosvenor Mine in a bid to retain skilled employees and entrench its focus on safety.

The review comes after the resumption of longwall mining operations at the site on February 21 and a troubled period for the mine and its workers following the 2020 explosion that left five miners seriously injured.

Anglo has been subject to criticism over its work arrangements from the CFMEU, which argues the company undercuts job security through the use of labour hire firms.

Workers at the mine were informed Wednesday afternoon of the proposed review.

Anglo American metallurgical coal business CEO Tyler Mitchelson said the company was committed to ensuring safe and stable operations.

Grosvenor Mine restarts operations after a methane explosion injured five workers in 2020. Picture: Anglo American

“We have advised our Grosvenor workforce that we will commence a review of our employment model at Grosvenor, including looking at the best way to support our workforce who have supported us through a difficult period,” he said.

“Since May 2020, we have continued to support our workforce at the mine, as we progressively resumed full operations.

“Supporting and retaining skilled personnel is a key priority for us in ensuring the future sustainability of our business.

“As part of this work, we have been progressively increasing the number of permanent roles at our five mining operations in Queensland, including creating around 130 new permanent jobs over the past six months, with more under way.”

CFMEU’s Stephen Smyth. Picture: Daryl Wright

In June 2021, the CFMEU lodged an official complaint with the Fair Work Commission over One Key employment contracts at Grosvenor.

Specifically, the union claimed the practice of placing workers on fixed-term contracts disguised the permanent nature of their employment.

In response, One Key said its workers were not permanent employees and were free to accept or decline the offer to extend the duration of their contract at their discretion.

The issue of ‘casualisation’ has escalated across North and Central Queensland in recent months.

The CFMEU and Labor claim a casualisation crisis has engulfed the mining sector and Labor looks set to make industrial relations a core pillar of its campaign to win back coal miners across the region.

An aerial image of Anglo American's Grosvenor Mine. Picture: Daryl Wright

A Senate committee investigating job security will release its final report in March.

Anglo’s review also follows the introduction of changes to the mine’s bonus incentive scheme in January.

“We consulted extensively with our people, to identify opportunities to increase our focus on leading safety indicators, in line with our global Elimination of Fatalities program,” Mr Mitchelson said.

“On January 1 this year, Grosvenor became the first of our sites to move to a new structure, focused on incentivising safety lead indicators, including hazard reporting, and planned work.”

Originally published as Anglo American will review its labour hire employment model at Grosvenor Mine