Same Job Same Pay has delivered 300 new two-year fixed term jobs at Appin mine in the Illawarra after the Fair Work Commission handed down a Same Job Same Pay order at the mine late last year.
The MEU is in discussions with GM3 and relevant labour hire companies to ensure a smooth transition, and will be advocating for as much of the existing labour hire workforce to be included as part of the intake.
MEU South Western District President Bob Timbs said the announcement was a win for workers who will be directly employed by the mine.
"This is a great win for the Illawarra coal industry where the use of contractors to undercut wages and conditions has been rife.
"Currently about half of all production workers in our region are employed through labour hire contract arrangements, rather than directly through the mine operator.
"Significantly, this means that 300 more workers will be covered by the Appin Enterprise Agreement. We are pleased that more workers will receive the rate of pay set in the Agreement along with a range of conditions which have been hard fought for by members at Appin over the years.
"We are also hopeful that the two-year fixed term arrangement will provide a pathway to ongoing permanent jobs down the track.
"It is fantastic to see the new laws working as intended to lift pay rates in line with site Agreements and move away from using outsourced labour to cut wages."
The Appin Lodge will support members through the upcoming application process.
The Fair Work Commission handed down the first Same Job Same Pay order in the Illawarra coal industry for around 250 labour hire PIMS workers who were paid around $15,000 to $20,000 less a year than permanent employees late last year.
