With new AWAs banned but the rest of Federal Labor's planned IR reforms still some time away, Xstrata is joining a rogue band of employers that includes BHP in the Pilbara and Telstra in a pre-emptive strike on Union collective bargaining.
Although Union collective agreements in the coal industry have delivered record productivity and profits for Xstrata, the company is still determined to attack wage levels and conditions in the industry.
The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that Union coal mineworkers get 20% more pay than non-union mineworkers in the metals sectors.
Delegates pointed out that Xstrata is on track for a record US$5.6 billion profit for the year and with new soaring price increases across all grades of its Australian coal for the contract year that kicked in from April this year, Xstrata is poised to add billions more to its profit line.
Xstrata delegates expressed their determination to fight for a fair go through Union collective agreements and voted to mount a sustained campaign to mobilise workers and our communities in support of this.
