CFMEU: Mineworkers call for end to local jobs discrimination at BHP AGM

Mineworkers from around Australia attended BHP’s AGM in Adelaide to protest practises they say are alienating workers and communities and tarnishing the company’s reputation.

• Locals are not allowed to work at nearby mines
• Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers have to live where the company dictates
• Permanent, full time jobs are outsourced to labour hire

General Vice President of the CFMEU’s Mining and Energy division, Wayne McAndrew, said an example of BHP’s mistreatment of workers and their communities was their compulsory 100% FIFO policies at the new Caval Ridge and Daunia coal mines in Central Queensland.

“Compulsory 100% FIFO discriminates against local workers who can’t apply for jobs in mines near their communities, and it also denies FIFO workers any choice about their lifestyle and where they live,” said Mr McAndrew.

“In the Central Queensland mining town of Moranbah local workers who want a job at these new mines would have to first fly to Cairns or Brisbane and then fly back to work, where they can’t stay with their family but instead have to live in camps.

“This is an absurd situation which shows the lack of respect BHP has for workers and the communities near its mines.

“At the same time BHP is denying FIFO workers the choice about where they live, requiring that they  reside within a radius of Brisbane or Cairns set by the company.

“BHP’s preference of lower-paid, insecure labour hire above permanent, full time jobs is also an attack on workers rights and has left workers across its mines living in fear that they will lose their jobs.

“Although BHP has some nice ideals in its charter such as respect and integrity the reality we see at the mines and in the communities is vastly different.
“BHP is at serious risk of tarnishing its reputation if it continues to alienate its workers and the communities near its mines.

CFMEU representatives will present a petition signed by thousands of Australians calling on BHP’s CEO Andrew Mackenzie to end BHP’s 100% compulsory FIFO at its two new mines in the Bowen Basin.

Workers from BHP mines in QLD (Goonyella Riverside, Blackwater No.1, Gregory, Saraji, Peak Downs), NSW (Westcliff Colliery, Mt Arthur) and WA (Nelson Point Port Hedland) were represented at the AGM.