Resistance supports the Tahmoor mineworkers

We support the mineworkers at Tahmoor Colliery in their campaign for a fair go. For over 18 long months, their employer, Xstrata, has refused to negotiate an enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) in good faith, using dirty tactics such as lock-outs to wear the mineworkers down.

Management is refusing to negotiate on: minimum staffing requirements to guarantee safe coalface operations; conditions on the use of contractors; maintenance of seniority principles; limits to overtime working; and maintenance of the status quo during negotiations.

This is despite the fact that in the two years since purchasing the mine, Xstrata has made $200 million and $28 million profit (this was during the financial crisis!)

Even after a ballot in which over 99% of the workers voted against Xstrata's offer, the company still refuses to come to the table.

Xstrata claims that it has offered miners a 25% pay rise over the next four years. But this figure is seriously misleading. It's being calculated by rolling existing entitlements into the base rate of pay and then making extra pay dependant on mining unrealistic tonnages.

Xstrata also hopes to undermine the miners’ ability to bargain collectively and to bust the CFMEU—the proposed agreement removes any mention of the union from the contract.

At the last federal election the people of Australia voted to protect “Our Rights At Work”, yet Xstrata is trying to take away these rights at Tahmoor Colliery.

In Tahmoor, one job in four is connected to the mine—Xstrata cannot be allowed to win and devastate the lives of the mine workers and their community.

Resistance supports the miners in any action they need to take to defend their rights at work. We pledge to build support for their struggle in any way we can, in particular raising awareness and building solidarity among youth and young workers. We call on all supporters of workers rights to stand with the Tahmoor miners until they win.