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WMWA Fighting for Fair at Rio Tinto

October 8, 2024 2:38 pm

The WMWA is looking to improve the safety, pay and conditions for ALL mine workers in the Pilbara, and that means tackling the big mining companies.

Iron Ore is a US$140B industry enjoyed and utilised around the world, particularly Asia. Yet despite this, the thousands of Australians doing the dirty and dangerous work making these operations possible are not fairly remunerated

Last year alone, Rio Tinto produced 331.5 million tonnes of iron ore in WA and earned US$11.9B, over 10 times the earnings of all their other mining productions combined. This level of production is a third higher than it was 10 years ago, and only continues to rise each year.

With profits from WA iron ore going up and Pilbara workers’ wages and conditions stagnating, the WMWA is fighting for fair so the big mining companies will fairly share some of its profits with workers who provide the skills and labour needed to make the multibillion dollar profits year in year out.

After being locked out of the Pilbara for decades, recent reforms have provided workers with the opportunity to have a collective say about their safety, pay and conditions.

WMWA plans to commence collective bargaining with Rio at their Paraburdoo mine this year. To ensure the best possible outcome for all employees on site, the WMWA is looking for as much member feedback as possible to truly understand what Rio workers need for a fair go in the Pilbara.

Want to know if you’re getting paid fairly compared to other Pilbara workers? Try our Pay Comparison Calculator and see what your wages SHOULD be.

The WMWA is an Alliance between the countries two biggest mining unions, the AWU and MEU, with more thank 100K members combined. WMWA will always stand up and speak up for workers.

If you work in the mining industry in the Pilbara the WMWA covers you, regardless of what your role or location.

Not a member yet? Join the WMWA fight for fair today!

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