A long-running industrial dispute at a north Queensland coal mine has ended with workers voting in favour of a new employment agreement.
The two-year row between workers at Collinsville's open-cut coal mine, north-west of Mackay, and its operators Thiess, came to a head with a three-week strike and blockade of the mine's rail line last month.
But after a secret ballot, workers have voted in favour for a raft of new changes, including a better package for housing for local employees and more job security.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) spokesman Steve Smythe says it could set a precedent for similar mines across Queensland.
"I wouldn't like to think that's going to be the outcome, but it's possible that we could have the same type of action in other mines as well," he said.
Thiess management says the new agreement still needs to be ratified by Fair Work Australia.
Mr Smythe says the workers were disappointed that it took a rail blockade to bring the company to discussions.
"At the end of the day, where we agreed on this agreement was approximately where we were two-and-a-half years ago," he said.
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