For its part Glencore reiterated it rejected claims made publicly by the CFMEU over the proposed 2017 Enterprise Agreement.

“Despite the difficulties faced by Oaky North in recent years of low coal prices, Glencore has invested capital of $372 million in the mine between 2012 and 2017,” the company said.

“We remain committed to a safe, productive business at Oaky North mine.

“Our Oaky North employees are very well remunerated, as well as receiving generous subsidies for accommodation arrangements.

“The proposed changes to the EA are consistent with our stated aim of achieving a modern and flexible enterprise agreement for Oaky North that allows us to manage the operation safely, efficiently and productively in a period of continued challenge for all Australian coal operations.

“The proposed changes are consistent with those agreed by the CFMEU in other enterprise agreements across Australian coal mines.”

 CFMEU Mining and Energy Division district vice-president Chris Brodsky said the mining company’s proposed agreement would remove workers’ access to workplace representation in some cases, among a range of other issues.

“Workers have dug in now,’ he said. 

“We will stand firm and will not be bullied by this big corporation.

“This affects hundreds of workers in our community and thousands of their family members.

“Glencore’s position would deny employee’s fair and reasonable representation and set a dangerous precedent for pay and conditions across the mining sector.”