Membership

The Western Mine Workers Alliance is you, your workmates, and hundreds of miners across the Pilbara coming together for a stronger voice at work.

Union members all over Australia win better wages, safer conditions, and a voice at work. It’s no different in Pilbara mines – when workers come together, we win.

Union members are fighting for:

Secure jobs for all workers regarding automation and non-permanent work
An ironclad commitment from Rio Tinto that workers whose jobs are automated will be retrained, reskilled and redeployed
A lasting and genuine commitment that Rio Tinto won’t turn their back on Pilbara communities
Better wages, safer conditions, and a voice at work

As a WMWA member, you’re entitled to the following benefits:

Expert Advice and Representation when you need it

Your WMWA organisers are Pilbara-based and provide expert advice and representation on your workplace rights when you need it. Our organising team is backed by the legal expertise of the nation’s two largest mining Unions, the AWU and Mining and Energy Union. Union fees are $18 per week, that’s less than what you might pay for your daily morning coffees over a week, and are 100% tax-deductible.

Changing the culture in mining to improve it for all worker

WMWA provides mine workers in the Pilbara with a well-resourced union. WMWA is committed to making mining an industry that workers and their families are proud to be associated with.

Negotiation of Wages and Conditions

The WMWA negotiates workplace enterprise agreements, which outline your wages and conditions of employment. Employment conditions include annual leave, sick leave, long service leave, redundancy, ordinary working hours, overtime, break times, and superannuation.

Recovery of Underpayment of Wages and Superannuation

Your wages and conditions are determined by the National Employment Standards, the mining awards, the workplace’s enterprise agreements, and your contract of employment. This stuff can be complicated but if you have been underpaid WMWA will make sure members receive their lawful entitlements.

Advice on WHS, Industrial and Workers’ Compensation Issues

Members have access to assistance on these matters through the WMWA Unions and our partnered Law Firms. If you need help with a workers’ compensation matter, please contact your Organiser. This is a no-cost service for members.

Fighting Unfair Dismissals

Unfair dismissals often happen with little notice and can be devastating to the lives of workers and their families. Unfair dismissal applications must be lodged within 21 days to the Fair Work Commission (FWC). So, if you think you have been unfairly dismissed, or are unsure, please contact your Organiser as soon as possible for your case to be reviewed.

Journey Cover

Journey Cover is an Insurance Policy for members which covers for an injury received while traveling to and from work.