Published: August 2, 2018 |

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Supervisors at South32’s Appin coal mine have been locked out in retaliation for standing up for their rights, the workers’ union says.

A new roster requiring an extra four hours of work with no additional pay was “forced onto” supervisors, the Collieries Staff & Officials Association (CSOA) said, and the workers were locked out after taking protected industrial action.

The CSOA’s Kylie Rooke said the decision to lock-out supervisors placed more than 1000 remaining workers in serious danger.

“This is a much more complex mine than most — it is one of the largest underground coal mines in NSW, with very complex geological conditions and unique ventilation systems to protect workers,” Ms. Rooke said.

An Illawarra Coal spokeswoman said South32 had “made a fair and considered offer that increases employee remuneration and retains all current benefits”.

“Ongoing industrial action impedes our ability to operate safely and reliably, and so we have taken the difficult decision to remove the deputies from site and operate the mine with alternative labor arrangements,” she said.

Source: Illawarra Mercury

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