Union workers strike at BHP Goonyella Riverside mine

Workers at a major Queensland mine have walked off the job as tensions between BHP and a powerful union continue to build following a threat to lock striking staff out of camp accommodation.

Trucks at the Goonyella Riverside mine site. Picture: Christian Sprogoe

Relations between mining giant BHP and the powerful Mining and Energy Union are deteriorating as workers begin industrial action at the massive Goonyella Riverside mine.

Some union workers with Operation Services, an internal BHP mining services provider, launched a four-hour work stoppage from 2pm Tuesday, part of a larger campaign to pressure the company on enterprise agreement negotiations.

In June, MEU Queensland vice president Mitch Hughes said the campaign was designed to disrupt and slow production in response to what he called the “substandard” agreement BHP offered production workers in March.

It is understood only a small number of workers have participated in action at the Blackwater, Saraji and Peak Downs mines with minimal disruption to operations.

The Goonyella strike comes after a heated back-and-forth between the union and the company over where the workers should go during the stoppage period.

The MEU claims the company moved to lock the workers out of the nearby Eureka camp.

“On Saturday, workers on the relevant crew were told by a supervisor that those participating in the action must leave the mine site and would be denied access to their accommodation at Eureka camp,” the union said.

Isaac region mines include the Peak Downs Mine, Saraji Mine, Goonyella Riverside Mine, Broadmeadow Mine. Neighbouring communities include Dysart, Clermont and Mackay. Photo: Zizi Averill

“The Mining and Energy Union insisted that BHP drop the directive as denying access to camp to employees engaged in protected industrial action was a contravention of general protections under the Fair Work Act.”

BHP rescinded the directive but a law firm representing OS called on the union to consider other workers at the camp during the stoppage.

“Our client (OS) will rescind the direction on the basis that you remind those of your members taking industrial action on July 4, 2023 and who wish to access the camp during the hours of 2pm and 6pm, to do so in a manner that takes account of the fact that the night shift is sleeping during that period and as such they should make every effort to ensure that they are not in any way disturbed,” the firm states.

Last month, the company heralded progress in EA negotiations.

“Nearly two thirds of maintenance employees voted up the offer and we hope to be able to implement their new conditions and $5000 bonus payment as soon as possible,” a BHP spokesman said.

“Just shy of a majority of our Operations Services production employees voted in favour of the proposed national agreement and we continue to engage closely with them.”

Originally published as Union workers strike at BHP Goonyella Riverside mine