As part of a recent full-page press advertisement, which also countered union claims, Glencore said it aimed to introduce larger capacity equipment to the site and to overhaul the coal handling and preparation plant.
With no enterprise agreement struck with union officials, Glencore said it signed a contract for labour hire under the terms of an EA that had “modern, flexible workplace arrangements”
Offers of full-time employment are expected to be made in mid-December with the aim of restarting operations in early 2014.
“The changes we are making will give the mine its best chance of a long-term future, which would provide ongoing employment to significant numbers of people and flow-on benefits to a variety of local businesses and the wider community,” Glencore said.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union viewed Glencore’s approach as an attempt to de-unionise the Collinsville town and to start re-employing miners on less conditions and job entitlements.
It previously discussed legal options to contest Glencore’s plans, especially under the transfer of business provisions of the Fair Work Act.
Meanwhile, QCoal’s Drake coal project in the region was recently touted as providing some relief for Collinsville, with the estimated 15-month construction period employing up to 350 people and possibly starting in early 2014, if it is approved.
Glencore shut down the Collinsville mine at the end of August after it chose not to renew Thiess’ mine operating contract.
The miner previously said it started discussions with the CFMEU over a collective Collinsville agreement in February, with the union walking out of the negotiations in May.
