BHP has backed away from insisting striking Operations Services workers be locked out of their accommodation camp in Central Queensland while taking protected industrial action today.
Last week, the Mining and Energy Union provided notice on behalf of Operations Services Production members of a four-hour stoppage today (Tuesday 4 July) at Goonyella Riverside mine near Moranbah.
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 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.
Yesterday, BHP Operations Services confirmed it would rescind the directive denying workers access to camp.
MEU Senior Vice President Mitch Hughes said BHP’s heavy-handed approached showed that on-going industrial action by employees of the in-house labour provider was hitting a nerve.
“OS workers have been ramping up their campaign with a range of actions as they seek to improve their conditions.
“It’s already making a difference, but there’s a long way to go until Operations Services employees have the comprehensive enterprise agreement they deserve.”
