Savage River: Tasmanian mine workers begin rolling strikes over pay claim

Tasmania’s biggest mine is being hit by industrial action for the first time as workers begin rolling strikes in pursuit of a pay rise. Inside the dispute >>

Grange Resources Savage River Iron Ore Mine within the Tarkine

Tasmania’s biggest mine is being hit by industrial action for the first time as workers begin rolling strikes in pursuit of a pay rise.

Unions say about 400 workers employed by Grange Resources Tasmania at the magnetite iron ore mine at Savage River and pellet plant at Port Latta began 12-hour rolling stoppages on Saturday morning.

Grange chief operating officer Ben Maynard said the strike was not affecting production and he hoped the dispute could be resolved.

“We’ve believe we’ve made a reasonable offer and I’m optimistic but the workers have not moved on their position,” he said.

“We have had 12 meetings and we believe our offer of five per cent, then three per cent and three per cent is fair.”

However, Australian Workers Union assistant secretary Robert Flanagan said workers were seeking a pay rise in line with CPI which was 7.8 per cent last December and forecast to be 4.8 per cent this year.

“Ten years ago when the mine was struggling workers didn’t take a pay rise to help the company get through tough times and now the company’s earnings are robust and dividends have been paid to shareholders,” he said.

“The workers can’t afford to go backwards and these negotiations have been going on since last November.”

Mr Flanagan said the rolling stoppages, the first ever at the mine, would significantly disrupt operations.

He said the dispute would go before the Fair Work Commission on Monday.

Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union state secretary Michael Anderson said workers were “fed up” and the strike action would cost the company more in lost earnings than to meet the workers’ claims for three years.

“Grange Resources have been successful over a long period at bluffing workers out of real improvements to their wages and conditions, but enough is enough for the large majority of their workforce,” he said.

“This company begged for understanding, loyalty, and a favour to be repaid during supposed lean years where workers took a real wage cut, but now that business has absolutely been booming, posting $500m in profit and returning hundreds of millions to shareholders, the company is still offering a real wage cut well below CPI.

“These claims are modest.

“Grange Resources workers here are rightly saying enough is enough.”

“Lawful action will continue until these workers win a real, meaningful wage increase which is just a tiny slice of the company’s huge wealth.”