Workers at Helensburgh’s Metropolitan Colliery are still on strike following Peabody Energy’s move to force a vote on an enterprise agreement not endorsed by the union.
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The strike will last until Saturday, at which point workers will employ bans and limitations, including a ban on the use of diesel vehicles, while on shift.
Employees have been on strike since the weekend, after being locked out for a week by the company in response to previous bans and limitations at the mine.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union south-western district vice-president Bob Timbs condemned Peabody’s decision to put forward the agreement, which contains no pay increase this year and a 2per cent increase each year for the next two years.
‘‘They’re very angry about it, angry and concerned that the company has practically thrown away the draft enterprise agreement the bargaining committee had agreed on excluding remuneration payments and have gone along and modified it by themselves.’’
He did not expect workers would support the agreement, which will be voted on in a secret ballot next Sunday and Monday.
A Peabody spokeswoman said the agreement reflected current market conditions, lifted productivity and provided greater job security for employees. She said the company remained ‘‘committed to continuing discussions with the workforce and their bargaining representatives’’.
‘‘We believe that we have put a fair and reasonable offer on the table and we ask that Metropolitan employees take the opportunity to vote on the offer.’’
