Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) secretary Sally McManus visited Collie last Friday to address the mine workers and community members at the Miners Institute Hall.
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“The whole country knows what’s happening here in Collie,” Ms McManus said. The ACTU secretary was referring to a decision by the Fair Work Commission last year, that saw maintenance workers at Griffin Coal mine, receive a substantial pay cut and shifts change to seven days on and three days off and seven nights on and four days off.
Ms McManus said the ongoing contract negotiations with maintenance workers at Griffin Coal mine will reach ‘legendary’ status.
“Throughout our history as a union movement throughout a long history and many generations we have had many key disputes,” she said.
“All of these are about important principals and they happened at turning points in our history, and I certainly feel like what’s happening here with Griffin Coal is one of those.
“It’s turning into one of those disputes that reaches legendary status.” That’s happening for a few reasons, it’s happening first of all and most importantly because there’s a group of workers fighting back against unjust laws.”
Ms McManus praised the Collie community for the support they have been offering to the workers involved in the ongoing negotiations.
“Second of all because of the community here, which is unique. I know about the community spirit, because you’ve been taking that community spirit on social media around the country,” she said.
“That community spirit of the wives and the partners that have taken up the fight as well and have been part of amplifying and projecting your fight across the country, has been so key in taking it to the level of being a legendary dispute.”
Ms McManus vowed to put the support the workers during their ongoing dispute. “You’ve got the support of the whole trade union movement,” she said.
“My commitment to you, today, is to make sure that everyone across the country, the whole trade union movement knows about this struggle and that we are behind you.”
“We will work until their is a fair settlement. We will keep fighting until the laws have changed.”
Ms McManus said the ACTU would help with fundraising efforts for the workers.
Griffin maintenance workers are currently still on strike and have entered week seven of their ongoing protected action.
