The Fair Work Commission has issued 'Same Job Same Pay' orders for BHP's Saraji, Peak Downs and Goonyella Riverside mines – setting 14 September as the date for pay rises to kick in for thousands of labour hire workers at the Central Queensland coal mines.
Today's orders follow the Commission's decision on 7 July in favour of Same Job Same Pay for workers employed by WorkPac, Chandler Macleod and BHP's in-house labour hire subsidiary Operations Services. The orders are estimated to deliver pay rises of around $30,000 a year for over 2000 workers.
Mining and Energy Union Queensland President Mitch Hughes said workers would be relieved to finally have a date set for pay rises to commence.
"This is great news from the Fair Work Commission. We've had a long legal battle pursuing pay justice for BHP labour hire workers.
"The orders issued today will see long overdue raises hitting workers' pay packets in just over a fortnight, after lengthy delays caused by BHP's stalling tactics. BHP workers should mark 14 September in their calendars for a Same Job Same Pay celebration."
The Commission's orders take effect from 14 or 15 September, depending on the work group and mine site.
Mr Hughes urged BHP to drop their Federal Court challenge the Fair Work Commission's 7 July decision backing Same Job Same Pay.
"BHP should stop wasting money on lawyers and start paying labour hire workers the industry-standard wages they are due. Time's up, pay up."
