WORKERS who were set to be axed from Xstrata’s Oaky Creek coal mine in Queensland have been given a one-week extension while the company continues discussions with unions.
The Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) has ordered Xstrata to talk with unions to minimise the number of redundancies when it closes its Number One mine at Tieri, near Rockhampton.
Xstrata plans to slash 230 jobs from the mine from 10 January 2009 as market conditions weaken and demand for coking coal continues to slide.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Electrical Union (CFMEU) is seeking a four-week delay in retrenchments. However, CFMEU president, Greg Betts, says even one week is a “breakthrough”.
While Xstrata respects the IRC’s decision, the mining company says it will not agree to union demands that are “not in the interests of the viability and operation of the mine complex or the town of Tieri”.
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