BMA said operational demands required increased manning to service its Norwich Park, Saraji, Goonyella Riverside and Peak Downs mines and FIFO arrangements had been introduced to meet its operational requirements for contractors.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union executive vice-president Stuart Vaccaneo said BMA’s decision flies in the face of safe work practices and would deal a massive blow to regional communities such as Moranbah and Dysart.
He said the decision to fly workers from Mackay added significant time to already long shifts.
“Companies like BMA need to invest in our communities like Moranbah and Dysart by providing adequate amounts of appropriate housing accommodation for mine workers and their families – locally,” Vaccaneo said.
“With BMA’s introduction of fly-in, fly-out in one day arrangements with certain portions of the workforce comes a risk that if the practice spreads through the industry, it is likely to reduce vibrant towns like Moranbah and Dysart to mere holes in the ground, impacting on thousands of families.”
He added local businesses relied heavily on income directly and indirectly from the mining industry and that revenue could be under threat.
BMA said it was working to tackle accommodation shortages and had spent $A210 million over the past three years under its accommodation strategy. It said it was spending a further $60 million on accommodation in Dysart and Moranbah during the 2009 financial year.
“In addition, every year BMA invests millions of dollars in the development and maintenance of the townships which are home to our workforce and their families. Last year we invested more than $22 million into our communities through our Community Investment Program,” BMA said in a statement.
In response to the CFMEU’s safety claims, BMA said it was using FIFO arrangements to transport workers to work ensures that they are not driving long distances on the road before and after shift.
“BMA treats the safety of its workers as its highest priority and the fly in, fly out arrangements have been rigorously examined and risk assessed to ensure that they are safe and comply with the Mines’ Safety and Health Management System.”
Vaccaneo said the union had met with and written to senior BMA representatives, but “to no avail”
“BMA appear to be stubbornly pressing ahead with this concerning practice with seemingly little regard for its effect on the community or the safety of the workforce.
“We are calling for an immediate end to fly-in, fly-out on the same day. And we will be campaigning in our local communities, lobbying politicians and bringing these issues to public attention.”
