The Mining And Energy Union Podcast

Our General President reflects on 27 years in the job

jesse@ritual.film (Tony Maher - Outgoing General President) — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:44:21 +0000

Tony Maher’s the longest serving General President in the union’s history. On the eve of his retirement, he reflects on the major challenges and victories throughout his tenure, and what they mean for the next generation of MEU activists.

What was it like to fight apartheid as a South African mining union leader?

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 02:59:44 +0000

Mining unions played a key role in bringing down apartheid in South Africa. We meet one mining union leader who was at the coal face of the struggle.

What’s the Industry minister doing for energy workers?

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:18:54 +0000

How can coal fired power station workers across the country ensure they retain stable well paying jobs and their communities thrive into the future? Industry Minister Tim Ayres talks about the success Collie has had in transforming itself, and the role of the NZEA in supporting regional industries across the country.

Eliminating vehicle accidents at mine sites

jesse@ritual.film (The Mining And Energy Union) — Tue, 7 Oct 2025 01:05:27 +0000

https://www.resources.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-07/TRG-ROVOA.pdf

Helensburgh miners chalk up two wins

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 02:20:39 +0000

Why is a 130-year-old coal mine back in the news? Miners at Metropolitan mine in Helensburgh have been chalking up the wins this month, securing a strong new EA despite being locked out by their bosses and winning a monumental case in the High Court. Join us to catch up on what’s been going on at Australia’s oldest mine.

BHP win is worth $30,000 to 2,300 miners

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 23:58:21 +0000

BHP’s been told! The Fair Work Commission has ruled its labour hire rort is over and it needs to cough up the $30,000 per person it’s been dudding ‘Operations Services’ workers at its Peak Downs, Saraji and Goonyella Riverside mines. That’s over 2,300 mine workers. We find out what happens next.

How do you become a union legend like Bob Hawke?

Thu, 3 Jul 2025 23:14:32 +0000

Bob Hawke could scull a beer faster than anyone on the planet, he also gave us Medicare. But when he was a union advocate what was so special about him people wanted him to be Prime Minister? We find out and meet a heap of other union legends who brought us the rights we all enjoy at work today.

‘Big’ Dan Repacholi on burgers and putting cash in miner’s wallets

jesse@ritual.film (Dan Repacholi - Member for Hunter) — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 01:08:33 +0000

Where do you find the best burgers in the Hunter? ‘Big’ Dan Repacholi shares his favourite haunts and talks about the pride he feels when miners tell him about the tens of thousands of dollars of extra pay they’re getting because of his government’s new laws. But what has he got in store for the district if he and Albo win a second term?

Baby On Board

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 03:08:26 +0000

Planning or expecting a new baby in your family? It can be extra challenging to juggle new parenthood with shift work like mining. In this episode, we talk to operator Rebecca and MEU lawyer Eliza about your rights on parental leave, return to work and flexibility; how to stand up for them and where we need to improve.

What to do if the boss calls you into the office

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 03:31:45 +0000

It can be intimidating to be called into the boss’s office. It’s usually not for a pat on the back. Knowing your rights and having a solid game plan can make all the difference to getting a fair outcome. In today’s episode we give you practical tips to navigate disciplinary meetings; or provide effective support to a workmate.

How convicts made Australia fair

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 05:01:26 +0000

Crims, rebels, troublemakers. It might be time to re-think some of the characters sent to Australia from Britain in the 1800s. It turns out most convicts weren’t criminals, they were political activists or the criminalised poor - many were rebel coal miners sent to Australia for standing up to the man. Noone thought when they got here they’d keep up the fight. The fact they did meant this country became one of the fairest societies on the planet. In this episode we meet some of them.

Delegates rights get a shot in the arm

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 05:07:09 +0000

Find out how new laws passed by the Albanese government strengthen union delegates’ rights including paid training, support to communicate with members on site and the ability to speak up for members in meetings.

Same Job Same Pay - Cash Hits Wallets

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 23:31:47 +0000

$33,000, $26,000, $20,000: these are just some of the parcels of extra cash arriving in the wallets of MEU members across the nation on November 1st - the day the Albanese government’s ‘Same Job, Same Pay’ laws kicked in. In this episode you’ll hear from some of them.

Much loved Mayor runs in Queensland election

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 05:20:17 +0000

Love is not a word you probably associate with your local Mayor. But there’s alot of love for Mayor Anne Baker. She pumped $400 million into the Bowen Basin including for the new Moranbah Hospital, and she saved the town of Glenden. But Anne’s worried if Labor loses the election money for the district will dry up. Authorised by G Kelly, MEU National Office, 215 Clarence St Sydney 2000.

Iron ore miners finally get a say

jesse@ritual.film (Michael Weise - National Organising & Training Director) — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 21:53:17 +0000

Until now, members mining iron ore at BHP’s hot, dusty sites in the Pilbara haven’t had much say in their pay and conditions. But thanks to years of work by the Western Mine Workers Alliance they’ve finally got a seat at the table to talk about family friendly rosters, guaranteed annual pay increases, and on time flights.

Medicinal cannabis and the workplace

Tue, 3 Sep 2024 06:26:40 +0000

Cannabis can be prescribed to you by a doctor and over 600,000 Aussies are using it to treat medical conditions. But how are employers responding to use of cannabis products in high risk workplaces, like mine sites? We discuss impairment, workplace policies and find out how the union is helping members dealing with this emerging issue.

How do we stop workplace accidents?

jesse@ritual.film (Emeritus Professor Michael Quinlan) — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:36:07 +0000

One accident at work is one too many. But how do we make it to zero? One bloke who knows almost everything there is to know about workplace safety is Emeritus Professor Michael Quinlan. He says there are common causes, or patterns, in all workplace accidents. In fact there are 10 of them. We find out more.

First win under new ‘Same Job, Same Pay’ laws

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 03:19:36 +0000

There are 27 pretty happy coal miners at the Mt Pleasant open cut in the Hunter Valley, they’re the 1st workers in the country to get a pay rise thanks to the Albanese Government's new ‘Same Job, Same Pay’ laws… they’ll be getting an extra $25,000 a year. So, how do they feel? And who will they spend that money on? SPOILER ALERT: It’ll be their mums.

How iron ore train drivers are rebuilding workers’ power in the Pilbara

Fri, 10 May 2024 04:56:42 +0000

Train drivers at BHP’s iron ore division in The Pilbara are celebrating - they’ve just signed a great deal - but it’s been a long dusty road. And they had to threaten strike action to make the company see sense. Their colleagues over at Rio Tinto have also inked a new agreement. We find out more.

Meet the man who shook up unionism 100 years ago

jesse@ritual.film (Phil Katz - author of Yours For The Revolution) — Tue, 9 Apr 2024 05:58:18 +0000

Coal miner Tom Mann was the Taylor Swift of unionists - he toured the world getting involved in union blues - like in Broken Hill where he was arrested helping miners in their fight against BHP. Phil Katz has written a new book on Tom Mann. In this episode Phil tells us about the vegetarian who carried guns, the working class man who spoke four languages, the tee-totaler who was the boogie man to bosses the world over.

How to protect yourself from dust disease

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 01:39:58 +0000

Since the re-emergence of Black Lung disease in Queensland in 2015 the MEU has fought for improvements to legislation and industry practice. A recent conference in Cairns discussed what more can be done to prevent coal miners developing dust disease. Key presenters explain what the risks are, how they are managed and how workers can protect themselves.

Applications underway, find out how Same Job Same Pay works

jesse@ritual.film (Adam Walkaden, Adam Walkaden - MEU National Legal Director) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:45:30 +0000

The Callide open cut mine near Biloela is where the union will road test the Albanese Government’s new Same Job Same Pay provisions in the Closing The Loopholes Bill passed just before Christmas. Whether the contractors on site will get the same wages as directly employed miners is now up to the Fair Work Commission.

What’s it like to work 50 years at the same mine?

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:49:22 +0000

Mining can be a life-long career - sure - but how many coal miners notch up a half century? And how many rack up that 50 years at the same mine? Robert ‘Macca’ MacPherson has been presented with the MEU’s 50-Year-Service Award after a lifetime living and working in Moura - a Central Queensland mining town itself steeped in history.

Miner vs Miner fight night

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 21:46:10 +0000

Would you watch 24 miners box each other to raise money for a mate injured at work? Yes? Well plenty of people agree with you, the recent ‘Mates in Mining Fight Night’ in Cessnock was sold out weeks before the event. On this month’s episode we bring you the highlights.

2023 from an Organiser’s perspective

Thu, 7 Dec 2023 04:48:52 +0000

MEU organisers from around the country converged on Sydney this week to plan for 2024 - they flew in from Central Queensland, the Pilbara, Broken Hill and everywhere in between to celebrate their wins and plan for 2024. We caught up with them…

Dust disease under the microscope

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 23:05:25 +0000

As a special bonus this month we’re replaying an episode of an ABC podcast called ‘The History Listen’, it’s part of a series called ‘dusted’ about lung diseases associated with mining and features former Common Cause editor Paddy Gorman, and Miners Federation General Secretary Barry Swan.

Senate examines closing the labour hire loopholes

jesse@ritual.film (Adam Walkaden - MEU National Legal Director) — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 21:00:34 +0000

Same Job Same Pay for labour hire workers is part of the Closing Loopholes bill before the federal parliament and are being examined by a senate committee. The MEU’s top legal eagle, Adam Walkaden, breaks down some of the misinformation employer groups are telling Senators.

How coal miners keep our rescue choppers flying

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 08:36:35 +0000

Chris Griffith owes his life to The Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service. Of course as a 15-year-old, the Duralie Lodge member had no way of knowing it was the contributions of Hunter Valley coal miners which funded the chopper that saved him after a horror motorbike crash.

Why the Voice is close to Colin Gray’s heart

jesse@ritual.film (The Mining And Energy Union) — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 04:45:54 +0000

Diesel fitter Colin Gray is a delegate at the Carmichael mine in Queensland. As the Voice referendum approaches, Colin talks about it what it means to him and why it’s important for politicians to hear directly from Aboriginal communities.

What is a ‘checkie’ and how do they keep you safe?

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 01:11:27 +0000

Industry Health & Safety Representatives – known as ‘check inspectors’ – play a unique role in the sector. Some say they have the most important job in the coal industry. This episode we find out about the history and responsibility of the ‘check inspector’ role and meet two ISHRs to find out what makes them tick.

Why July is a month of reflection for coal miners

jesse@ritual.film (Andrew Vickers - Former General Secretary) — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 01:28:36 +0000

Many of the worst disasters to hit coal mining occurred in July. We’ve delved into our archives to bring you a chat with the former General Secretary about what we can learn from them.

What's it like to be a driller in an open cut pit?

jesse@ritual.film (Lawrence Watson - Open Cut Driller at Mt Arthur South) — Mon, 3 Jul 2023 01:56:59 +0000

Lawrence Watson’s love affair with drilling began on Valentine's Day 2012 and he’s been going strong ever since. But what makes a good driller? And how will automation change the game?

CFMEU to MEU: Make your vote count

Mon, 15 May 2023 11:58:14 +0000

Members of the Mining And Energy Union will vote in coming weeks whether to become an independent organisation. We hear from members why they’re voting yes and from General Secretary Grahame Kelly on how the vote will work.

How Anthony Albanese is making workplaces fairer

jesse@ritual.film (Adam Walkaden - MEU National Legal Director) — Wed, 3 May 2023 03:40:49 +0000

What legal changes are the Albanese Government making to get rid of the labour hire and casualisation rorts? And how are they criminalising wage theft and pay secrecy clauses? We find out what laws have already passed and which are coming down the pipe from the MEU’s top legal eagle, Adam Walkaden.

How we fought for justice for Graeme Edwards

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 04:31:15 +0000

Those responsible for Graeme Edwards’ death almost got away with it. Luckily the Victorian Branch of the MEU were on the case and forced a prosecution of Energy Australia through the courts resulting in a $1.5 million fine and justice for Graeme’s mother, brother and sisters.

Energy workers arc up

Tue, 7 Mar 2023 03:57:09 +0000

We talk to MEU members from power stations and the coal mines that supply them about their concerns as the energy industry rapidly changes – including jobs of the future, safety, the challenges of more renewables entering the grid and why we need an federal Energy Transition Authority.

A day in the life of a Longwall Operator

jesse@ritual.film (Cal Douglas - Longwall Operator at Mandalong Mine) — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 22:24:04 +0000

What does it take to become a longwall operator in an underground mine? This episode we find out the dos and don’ts of this key role from a 6th generation miner.

2022: Year in Review

jesse@ritual.film (Jackie Woods - National Communications Director) — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 00:36:46 +0000

What a year! Voters in the Hunter Valley sent coal miner ‘Big Dan’ Repacholi to Canberra, the national energy grid became big news, and the Albanese Government passed its first batch of Industrial Relations laws. Sadly this year we also lost ‘living legend of the Illawarra’, Fred Moore. This episode we look back on the highs and lows of 2022.

Baby leave wins recognition for Jenna

Wed, 7 Dec 2022 01:47:04 +0000

When BHP tried to dud their apprentices at Peak Downs, Saraji, Goonyella Riverside & Blackwater out of maternity leave, Jenna Saunders sprung into action. Thanks to Jenna, apprentices like Paige Martin can give her newborn baby Nova the best possible start in life. It’s one of the reasons Jenna won Queensland delegate of the year.

Why being a shotfirer is a great career move

jesse@ritual.film (Greg Braes - MEU South-West District Vice President) — Tue, 1 Nov 2022 05:45:28 +0000

Shotfirers, or chargers as they’re known in hard rock mines, handle dangerous explosives every day. So it’s an action packed job. But how can getting your shotfirer ticket also be a great career move? And how does the job differ in metalliferous mines? We speak to Greg Braes who’s spent 32 years mining silver, zinc and lead in Broken Hill.

Fight Like Hell: Heroes of the Labour Movement

jesse@ritual.film (The Mining And Energy Union) — Sun, 2 Oct 2022 22:13:51 +0000

Just in time for Labour Day; The Coal Creek War of 1891, where a Tennessee mining company sacked its workers, tore down their homes and brought in prisoners to replace them. What happened next wasn’t pretty. Hear this and many other stories from author Kim Kelly.

Ten teams duke it out at the Western Mines Rescue Comp

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 00:01:11 +0000

Ten teams from the Lithgow, Moolarben and Gunnedah districts recently battled it out at the Western Mines Rescue Competition. We followed the team from Springvale as they strove for glory. Who took out best team? You’ll have to listen to find out…

Would you like to drive a $200 million dragline?

jesse@ritual.film (Chris Moylan - Dragline Operator at Mt Thorley Warkworth) — Wed, 3 Aug 2022 05:36:10 +0000

What would it take to get your bum in the seat of a 6000 tonne, 24 storey dragline excavator? This episode you’ll find out what it’s like to drive one of these monsters and what skills you need to do it.

What’s driving the ‘energy crisis’?

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 06:39:37 +0000

What’s driving the east coast ‘energy crisis’? General President Tony Maher gives us his take. And we find out how power station workers in Western Australia are managing a ‘just transition’ for their families and communities as the government announces the coal fired power stations in the state will close by 2029.

Fighting dodgy conditions at Carmichael

jesse@ritual.film (The Mining And Energy Union) — Fri, 27 May 2022 02:20:19 +0000

Members at arguably the most famous coal mine in Australia - the Carmichael open cut in Queensland - feel dudded. Not only is the pay terrible but safety and COVID procedures are pretty crook too. And the mob in control, MacKellar, are fond of saying ‘we’re the reserve grade bush footy team who landed in the NRL’. Now, workers are getting organised for a better deal. We find out more.

Capricornia Needs a Coal Miner in Canberra

jesse@ritual.film (The Mining And Energy Union) — Mon, 2 May 2022 07:30:00 +0000

Third generation coal miner, Moranbah local and Labor Party candidate for the seat of Capricornia Russell Robertson talks about ‘Same Job, Same Pay’, the betrayal of coal miners by the Nats and One Nation and his plans to beef up health services and social housing in central Queensland.

Same Job Same Pay

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 00:05:23 +0000

This Federal election, the Mining and Energy Union is campaigning for Same Job Same Pay laws to end the pay discrimination between labour hire coal miners and permanent employees. Labor’s Shadow Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke explains how Same Job Same Pay would work

Vale ‘Living legend of the Illawarra’ Fred Moore

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 04:55:46 +0000

Unionists in the Illawarra are celebrating the life of Mining and Energy Union life member Fred Moore - who passed in January - just nine months short of his 100th birthday. Fred started mining at 14 and was an advocate for women’s rights, a supporter of the local Aboriginal community and a workers’ rights activist.

Straight shooter Dan standing up for Hunter miners

jesse@ritual.film (The Mining And Energy Union) — Tue, 8 Feb 2022 01:56:37 +0000

It’s time to get excited if you live in Cessnock, Muswellbrook or Singleton because you get to vote for a coal miner at the coming Federal Election. Five time Olympian and Mining & Energy Union member Dan Repacholi is running in the Hunter to ensure mining families get a fair shake of the sauce bottle.

Why have Alabama coal miners been on strike since April?

jesse@ritual.film (The Mining And Energy Union) — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 06:14:40 +0000

Working 6 days a week, 12 hours a day might seem crazy but for 1,100 Alabama coal miners it’s their reality. They’ve been on strike since April Fool’s Day - but this is no joke - the faceless private equity firms which operate their mines have zero conscience and are more interested in recruiting strike breakers than talking to their workforce.

Grosvenor Lodge Rises From Ashes

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 02:23:25 +0000

The horrific burns suffered by five members in Anglo American’s Grosvenor mine in May last year were avoidable. The company had been warned many times about safety issues. Now members have taken matters into their own hands and formed the first ever labour hire only lodge to ensure it never happens again.

Pilbara Train Drivers Get Organised

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 03:11:12 +0000

Iron ore train drivers in the Pilbara are exhausted. They’ve borne the brunt of a sector booming in the middle of a pandemic - leaving some stuck over east chewing up leave and some doing double the work in 45 degrees in the west.

The Centenary of Queensland’s Worst Mining Disaster - Mt Mulligan

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 20:00:00 +0000

On this day in 1921 75 miners at Mt Mulligan in Far North Queensland never returned home from work. The town lost three quarters of its men that day. On this episode you’ll meet some of the men involved.

Decades of struggle behind Queensland’s biggest coal Agreement Part 2 of 2

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 04:13:18 +0000

The BHP Central Agreement is the biggest and most comprehensive agreement in the Queensland coalfields. As negotiations get underway for the next deal, we look back at the 40+ year history of blues, wins and epic struggles that have shaped conditions at work and in coal communities.

Decades of struggle behind Queensland’s biggest coal Agreement - Part 1 of 2

Sat, 24 Jul 2021 01:14:02 +0000

The BHP Central Agreement is the biggest and most comprehensive agreement in the Queensland coalfields. As negotiations get underway for the next deal, we look at back at the 40+ year history of blues, wins and epic struggles that have shaped conditions at work and in coal communities.

How to recruit union members

Sat, 19 Jun 2021 06:47:52 +0000

What do union delegates do when a member comes to them with a problem? And how do they approach prospective members regarding joining up? We find out.

Can a coal miner win the Upper Hunter by-election?

jesse@ritual.film (The Mining And Energy Union) — Thu, 13 May 2021 05:18:34 +0000

Northern Mining and NSW Energy Vice President Jeff Drayton has thrown his hat in the ring for the crucial 22 May Upper Hunter by-election in NSW. He explains why he’s running and the first thing he’ll do if he’s elected.

The woman who beat a mining giant with a bottle of water

jesse@ritual.film (Tim Brunero, Judith Martin, Andrew Vickers) — Tue, 4 May 2021 05:25:41 +0000

In 1963 one woman took down a massive mining company armed only with a bottle of water. This is her story.

Sailor, Brownie, Captain, Red: Remembering our pit ponies

jesse@ritual.film (Alf Sanford, Laurie Old) — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 04:03:30 +0000

The WA Coal Mining Industry is centred on the town of Collie in the South West of the state - the local mines and power stations have been keeping the lights on in WA for generations. Collie Coal Mining has an incredible history - and they’ve been celebrating that history recently. They’ve got a underground coal mine replica, virtual reality shovel diggers so aspiring miners can put on a headset and try their skills, and they have just unveiled a bronze life size replica of a pit pony - a sight not seen for over 50 years. We go on a journey into the past to discover the stories of the pit ponies, through two local legends, Alf Sanford and Laurie Old.

Women Workplace Leaders

Mon, 8 Mar 2021 04:34:09 +0000

Mining and energy industries have traditionally been among the most male-dominated in Australia. But women’s numbers have been growing in our workplaces and importantly, in the Union. There are now more women workplace leaders than ever in the Mining and Energy Union. This episode we meet some of the women delegates to the National Convention at the NSW hub in Cessnock to find out what makes them tick.

Russell Coight To The Rescue

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 22:42:01 +0000

Nic’s 200 tonne truck burst into flame underneath him one winter’s day back in 2018, and he was lucky to escape with just a few burns. He relives the story and we work out what we can learn from the incident and the subsequent rescue. Do you have a story of a close call like Nic’s? We’d love to hear it - email us at commoncause@cfmeu.com.au

How are Enterprise Agreements made?

jesse@ritual.film (Alex Bukarica) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 23:51:46 +0000

How do good EAs get made? And what about bad ones? Find out how labour hire companies use dodgy EAs to remove members’ right to strike and deny them permanent jobs & proper pay.

How can union activists get the best possible outcome in the workplace?

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 05:25:54 +0000

We are going to end the year on the podcast with some inspiration from union legend, Tom McDonald on how to win a blue.

How was the ‘Battle of Boggabri’ won?

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 03:58:22 +0000

It's been 1 year since Christmas came early for members at Boggabri Coal. In the winter of 2019 they’d had enough of the mine owner’s attempts to drive down wages & conditions. So they began 4 months of stoppages and won 12% over 4 years, a $4000 sign on bonus and set new standards for working conditions in the Gunnedah Basin. But what are the lessons other members can learn from their victory?

BHP OS agreements knocked off: What’s next?

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 00:07:29 +0000

BHP’s dodgy Operations Services agreements have been binned by the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission. But now the hard work begins of working together to achieve a better deal for OS workers. Keep up to date with issues affecting OS workers at thinkfairbhp.com.au

October 2020

jesse@ritual.film (Geoff Dyke, Jeff Drayton, Nic Dickson, Tony Wood) — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 05:25:25 +0000

Could a new pilot hydrogen plant in Victoria make Australia the Saudi Arabia of Hydrogen Fuel? And at the same time extend the life of coal mines around the county? It’s an exciting prospect - let's find out more from Victorian District President Geoff Dyke and Tony Wood Energy Program Director with The Grattan Institute. At 6.36 BHP’s in house labour hire company Operations Services is dudding miners at the Mt Arthur open cut in the Hunter - Vice President of the Northern District Jeff Drayton explains… At 10.56 A big fan of the podcast and new organiser in Central Queensland Nic Dickson tells us how he makes sure his retired coal miner dad makes sure he hears our podcast and we call for feedback on what people like about the podcast and what we can improve - do that here: commoncause@cfmeu.com.au

September 2020

jesse@ritual.film (tim brunero, yola bakkar, Mike Brunker) — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 22:36:01 +0000

Our big campaign to protect casual coal miners’ recent legal win kicks off our September episode - if you haven’t emailed your local MP yet head to protectcasualminers.com.au

At 3:25

We learn how BHP’s in house labour hire company Operations Services has stopped offering maintenance workers in its Mackay workshop trades apprenticeships, leaving some very disappointed youngsters.

At 7:08

We head to the Pilbara in the North West of WA and follow union organiser Yola Bakker around with a mic to capture a day in her life.

At 12:57

Former coal miner Councillor Mike Brunker tells us why he’s running in the upcoming Queensland election - and what he’ll do for locals if he wins.

August 2020

jesse@ritual.film (The Mining And Energy Union) — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 04:26:41 +0000

Our August episode begins with BHP’s Operations Services Scam - Bowen Basin Organiser Jason Lipscombe describes how ‘The Big Australian’ puts local workers on second rate agreements using their in house labour hire firm Operations Services. At 6:26 Chris Griffith explains how he owes his, and his wife’s, life to The Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service while the organisation’s CEO Richard Jones thanks Northern District coal miners for 35 years of pouring "millions and millions" into the choppers to keep them in the air. At 20:58 Ahead of the state election on October 31 New Acland miner Michael Hartin tells Queensland politicians to get his vote they'll need to rescue Stage 3 of the mine’s expansion from the courts and at the same time save 150 jobs.

July 2020

jesse@ritual.film (Tim Brunero, Matt Hoffman, Michael O'Connor, Andrew Vickers) — Thu, 9 Jul 2020 05:39:59 +0000

Our July episode begins with South32’s grubby use of the Coronavirus crisis to dial down safety and cut wages at Appin Mine. South Western District Vice President Bob Timbs explains the company’s tactics, and we hear from a couple of Appin miners dudded by the move. At 7.15 Former General Secretary Andrew Vickers reflects on lives lost and lessons learnt from major mining disasters we commemorate in July. At 15.12 CFMMEU National Secretary Michael O’Connor reveals how members from all the Union’s divisions have kept the country running - and where they now need backup from government. At 22.50 Matt Hofman from the Appin Lodge in the Southern district ends our July episode with his poem ‘We Are Coal’.

June 2020

jesse@ritual.film (The Mining And Energy Union) — Thu, 4 Jun 2020 22:14:21 +0000

Our June episode begins with the recent landmark Federal Court judgment that the ‘permanent casual’ work model is unlawful, with Labor’s Tony Burke, casual miner Chad Stokes and National Legal Director Alex Bukarica discussing implications and next steps. At 13.19 Queensland President Steve Smyth gives us the latest on the gas explosion at the Grosvenor Mine. At 19.24 Former Miners Federation General Secretary Barry Swan tells the remarkable story of the 1982 Kemira ‘stay-in’ strike. At 26.40 We get an update on our legal win against BHP’s dodgy Operations Services Enterprise Agreements, with National Legal Officer Eliza Sarlos.

May 2020

Mon, 4 May 2020 02:23:12 +0000

Our May episode kicks off with Coronavirus - what else? It’s changed how we all work - from staggered shift starts to cleaning down equipment to ditching carpooling - but some proposed solutions, like 21 days on, 7 days off rosters have been shown the door. At 3.11 Queensland District President Stephen Smyth calls out ‘hot seat changing’ & ‘hot bedding’. At 6.50 FIFO Pilbara locomotive driver Paul Bloxsom opens up about the pain of leaving his family for 3 months. At 9.15 Industry Health & Safety Inspector Stephen Luck talks about the reality of doing night shift and coming home to a house full of self isolating family, At 12.33 National Research Director Peter Colley analyses the falling coal price and stable employment numbers At 14.27 Hunter Valley shotfirer Kerry Konieczny explains how she got decent breastfeeding facilities for working mums at her pit. At 16.44 National President Tony Maher discusses FIFO’s ‘Black Swan’ event.