Union hails Rio Tinto agreement for iron ore rail workers

Friday,June 10, 2011 From: AAP

A MAJOR union has announced a breakthrough with mining giant Rio Tinto after striking a deal over a collective agreement for iron ore rail workers in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) says it is the first such union agreement with Rio Tinto in the region for 18 years.

The union says that after 18 months of negotiation, a new collective agreement for around 400 rail workers was reached.

CFMEU mining division WA Secretary Gary Wood, who led the negotiations, said it was a significant breakthrough and achievement on behalf of the workers and brought fairness back to the workplace.

Mr Wood said the union had to overcome WorkChoices first and then take Rio Tinto to Fair Work Australia to confirm the right to bargain on behalf of workers.

``Rio Tinto workers will now be treated with respect in their workplaces and have won the right to bargain collectively with their employer in regards to their workplace conditions.

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``For the past 18 years, train and car drivers in the Pilbara have been refused this right and have faced corporate hostility when attempting to engage their employer collectively,'' Mr Wood said.

When asked if this meant other Rio Tinto workers in the Pilbara might come under union coverage, Mr Wood said the agreement showed that collective arrangements could bring benefits to employees, including a right to be represented on terms and conditions.

Clearly the legal structures that have been provided for through Fair Work Australia have been followed by both parties in relation to the agreement.

We see that the laws are there and the laws are there to be followed and we don't see any change in that going forward.''

Mr Wood said the agreement was achieved because of the Fair Work Act and the determination of rank and file members to unite in support of their collective rights.

Workers are expected to sign off on a final agreement before the end of the month.(sourced Perthnow)