Glencore's conduct at its Townsville Copper Refinery has sunk to a new low, with the company refusing to pay employees for entire shifts if they participate in lawful, low-level industrial action. Workers who undertake partial work bans, such as refusing to complete paperwork for one hour of their shift, are being threatened that they will be penalised by having their full twelve-hour shifts pay withheld.
This is a company that is being propped up by the Australian taxpayer, having received $600 million in government support last year to keep operations running. Now, it is refusing to pay workers of whom are taxpayers themselves. The contrast is blatant and deeply concerning. Workers who contribute to the public purse are effectively helping sustain a company that is now denying them fair treatment. It reflects a troubling level of disregard for its own loyal workforce, who have continued to stand by the company.
"As the saying goes, 'don't bite the hand that feeds you.' Time and time again Glencore are demonstrating why it is viewed as a poor corporate citizen in the Townsville region." Said State Organiser Liam Sharkey.
"This heavy-handed response sends a clear message: lawful workplace rights will be met with workers not being paid. It's an absolute disgrace, an abuse of power that can only be described as nothing less than corporate greed," he said.
Electricians at the refinery are currently paid approximately 30% below the going market rate for electricians in the Townsville region. This significant pay gap highlights a long-standing failure to offer competitive and fair wages and shows the clear lack of respect this multinational mining giant has for its workers, despite the highly skilled nature of the work and the critical role these employees play in its operations.
Electrical Trades Union members have stood together in solidarity, refusing to be treated like second-class citizens. Workers have made it clear they will not work for free, and in response to these measures, they will not attend their shifts for a 24hr period tomorrow. This unified stance is expected to leave the refinery without electricians on site, emphasising both the seriousness of this dispute and the determination of the workforce to demand fair treatment and industry-standard wages and conditions.
