Workers at Glencore’s Mangoola coal mine in the Hunter Valley will vote next week on a proposed enterprise agreement that unions say could significantly affect pay and job security.
The vote, scheduled from March 31 to April 1, covers an agreement that would introduce tiered pay structures and embed lower wage rates for some roles. The Mining and Energy Union says this could directly reduce contractor earnings and create a cheaper workforce on site.
Labour‑hire workers at Mangoola secured a Fair Work Commission order in 2025 lifting their pay to match permanent employees doing the same work, with rates tied to the site’s enterprise agreement. The union says if lower pay tiers are added, contractor wages could fall immediately despite workers doing the same jobs.
Mining and Energy Union Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams said contractor earnings could drop by up to $36,000 a year.
“Workers fought hard and stood together to win Same Job Same Pay at Mangoola,” Mr Williams said.
“For decades, labour-hire has been used across the mining industry to drive wages down and create a cheaper second-class workforce. Same Job Same Pay was meant to put an end to that practice.”
He said contractors would be the first to feel the impact despite not having a vote on the agreement.
“They stand to lose income while having no say in the outcome,” Mr Williams said.
“But the consequences would not stop there. Once a lower rate exists on site, it becomes the reference point for new hires, and future agreements.
“That is how wages get pushed down across an industry. Not overnight, but bit by bit.”
Mr Williams said workers are also concerned about redundancy protections, allowances not written into the agreement, and changes that could make permanent roles easier to replace over time. He warned approval of the deal at Mangoola could set a precedent for bargaining across the Hunter Valley coal industry.
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