The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia claims the company has refused to raise base salary rates at Appin to meet current market rates in other mines across NSW and in Queensland.

As a result, Appin deputies will vote on 25 and 26 October whether to take protected action – a rare step and one borne out of frustration after three months of unsuccessful negotiations, according to the union.

The vote comes as BHP Billiton tries to conclude enterprise agreement negotiations for employees at its Queensland coal mines that have dragged on for two years and created disruptions across its coking coal operations in the Bowen Basin.

Appin mine deputies have been told by BHP Illawarra Coal management that there is “no money in the bucket” for their pay claim, according to APESMA collieries staff division director Catherine Bolger.

“Appin deputies deserve to be paid fairly,” she said.

“It is the efforts and skill of these workers that deliver huge profits for BHP, yet currently they are paid well below market rates.

“It is disappointing that BHP has refused to pay these deputies appropriately.

“Given the huge profits generated by the Appin mine, improving base salaries for these workers does not even equate to a drop in the BHP ocean.”

Appin announced an underlying EBIT for the whole of Illawarra Coal including the Appin mine of $US667 million in the 2011-12 financial year.

A spokesperson for BHP Billiton told ILN: “Illawarra Coal will continue to work with the Appin mine supervisors and their representatives to conclude an enterprise agreement on terms that are reasonable.”

“Currently deputies at Appin are paid well below market rates,” Bolger said.

“The improvement we are seeking would bring them up to the middle of the market, be a step towards boosting retention and in the longer term, work to attract more highly skilled workers to the region.

“This stonewalling has gone on long enough; we call on BHP to have another look in its bucket and improve rates for Appin deputies.

“Deputies are highly trained and responsible for supervising all mining.

“They carry a statutory responsibility for maintaining safe operations, are responsible for handling explosives and are accountable when something goes wrong.

“Their work involves long hours and lots of responsibility – all in hard conditions.”

Bolger said deputies were highly specialised, skilled workers who were pivotal to Appin’s success and strong profit results.

“They are required to undertake rigorous training and obtain levels of certification that sees them in short supply,” she added.

Unresolved issues in the negotiations are an improvement in base salaries as well as allowing Fair Work Australia to make rulings on matters relating to the agreement.