Mt Arthur Negotiations

YESTERDAY permanent employees were told they have one week to submit an expression of interest for a voluntary redundancy to BHP Billiton at their Mt Arthur coal mine operations as part of negotiations to cut 290 jobs from the site.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) cautioned members that the company had not confirmed the voluntary redundancies, but were merely seeking expressions of interest.

BHP confirmed their position was to force 96 redundancies at the mine consisting of 75 production employees and 21 maintenance employees.

The Union rejected the prospect of any current full time employees being forced into redundancy while contractors were performing the same roles on site.

The company representatives further indicated they preferred the option of permanent part time positions instead of job share arrangements.

The third round of consultation is scheduled for Wednesday.

Related Stories:

• Mt Arthur Cut 250 Jobs: March 9
• Productive Negotiations: March 9
• Bomb Scare at Mt Arthur: March 10
• Workers Feel Duped: March 14
• Mt Arthur Management Responds: March 14