What’s happening?
Workers at the Glencore copper refinery in Stuart will take protected industrial action after wage negotiations stalled.
Members of the Australian Workers Union say the company has not offered a pay increase that reflects rising living costs.
The strike will take place outside the refinery at 100 Hunter Street in Stuart.
Why it matters?
Union leaders say the dispute highlights the growing cost-of-living pressures on workers and their families.
They argue refinery workers deserve fair wages after continuing to support the site’s operations.
The disagreement also raises concerns about wage fairness across industrial sites in North Queensland.
Local impact
The Townsville refinery supports many local jobs and families.
Union representatives say the outcome of negotiations will affect workers across the region.
They also say the community expects local workers to benefit from the industry operating in the area.
By the numbers
• Negotiations between workers and Glencore began on 25 March last year and remain unresolved.
• A bargaining meeting was held today Thursday, 12 March, but no agreement was reached.
• Workers say wages at the refinery are almost 15 per cent lower than nearby industrial sites such as Sun Metals.
Zoom in
AWU Queensland Branch Secretary Stacey Schinnerl said workers had reached their limit after months of negotiations.
“After almost a year of negotiations, workers have had enough of Glencore’s standover tactics”.
“This is the same company that received a massive $600m government bailout last year to protect these jobs, but here we are almost six months on and they are still refusing to give their workers a fair go.”
“Our members have been working hard to make sure this refinery has a future despite Glencore’s history when it comes to stripping assets and dumping workers at the first sign of economic pressure.”
“The wage offer that Glencore have put on the table doesn’t even come close to meeting rising cost of living pressures faced by workers and their families.”
“Glencore are happy to put their hand out to boost their bottom line and make their businesses more profitable. It’s an absolute disgrace they are still trying to rip workers off.”
“We had a bargaining meeting today where we hoped Glencore would finally come to the table to sort this out. Sadly this did not happen and so workers will walk off the job at the refinery on Friday morning. The message to Glencore is clear, we won’t accept you short-changing our members.”
AWU Northern District Secretary Jim Wilson said the situation was unfair for workers and the community.
“Glencore should be ashamed of the way they are treating their workforce and our community here in Townsville.”
“We have a situation right now where Glencore is paying workers almost 15% less than neighbouring sites like Sun Metals for the same work. It’s simply unacceptable.”
“The Townsville community is sick of billionaires profiting from our town and leaving nothing but the crumbs for workers and their families.”
Zoom out
Enterprise bargaining disputes are common across large industrial workplaces.
Workers can take protected action during negotiations if both sides cannot reach an agreement.
What to look for next?
Further negotiations may take place following the strike.
Any revised wage offer from Glencore could determine how the dispute progresses.
