Congratulations to all CSA members on the approval of your 2024 Enterprise Agreement! We are delighted to announce that the Fair Work Commission has approved the CSA 2024 Enterprise Agreement. This is a significant achievement that brings a range of impressive benefits for all members, including:

        •       Annual 3.25% pay increases (2025-2028)
        •       $6,000 residential allowance
        •       Clear advancement pathways
        •       Increased training payments
        •       Reduced bonus loss risk
        •       Extended maternity leave (12 weeks)
        •       Additional $30 on-call allowance, now $90
        •       Prompt payroll error resolution
        •       Emergency leave for volunteers
        •       $2,000 ratification bonus
        •       1.5x additional hourly rate for extra shifts
        •       Extra parental leave for shift workers
        •       Superannuation increasing by 1% annually up to a maximum of 13%
        •       Public Holidays rate increased to $60 per hour
        •       Bonus Scheme based on achieving business and personal targets
        •       Commitment to Training and Skills

We extend our appreciation to all the employee bargaining representatives and members that participated for their dedication and hard work throughout this process.

Your efforts have resulted in an agreement that truly benefits all CSA members covered by this agreement.

NSW hard rock miners like Daniel Cronin will have access to more resources and support with the launch of the NSW Mine Workers Alliance bringing together the MEU and AWU.

The new Alliance will represent workers in metalliferous mining in NSW and was launched at regional events in Cobar and Broken Hill earlier this month.

Daniel has worked in the mining industry for twelve years. For the last three years he has worked as a Bogger Operator at Peak Gold Mine.

Daniel lives in Cobar with his wife Chanae, and their four-year-old daughter Charlotte and two-year-old son Hudson.

“I think the Alliance is fantastic. I think bringing together two strong unions is only going to be to the further benefit of members. We’ve now got double the resources and double the manpower,” Daniel said.

“At the end of the day unions are the last fight that we’ve actually got. For so long your Rio Tintos of the world have given workers the false sense that they don’t need unions. They’ve said they’ve given us this or that, but over time they’ve taken all those things away.

“That’s where the union movement in this country is something that we really need to protect and support.

“Precious metals like gold, silver and copper have always held great value. The future of metals is only growing, especially in uncertain global times, so it’s only upwards from here.”

The Alliance will fight for investment, good jobs and community services that NSW mining towns need to benefit from mining industries of the future and support the people who work currently in the industry.

“I like working in hard rock mining because I get to interact with lots of people, whether it’s truck drivers, charge up or service crew.

“I get to see lots of people throughout my day, and there’s lots of good people in this industry.”

Members of both unions attended the launch events and had an opportunity to hear more about the Alliance from their local organisers and MEU and AWU officials who travelled up to western NSW to talk to members. 

MEU South Western District Secretary Andy Davey said it was fantastic to hear the interest and enthusiasm from members who are keen and ready to join the Alliance. He said the Alliance will fight to ensure western NSW mining hubs benefit from critical minerals and transition metals industries, with secure local jobs and thriving communities.

The MEU and AWU have members in mines from Broken Hill to Cobar and Orange to West Wyalong, producing gold, cobalt, copper, lead, zinc, nickel and silver. Existing members will have the opportunity to transfer membership to the NSWMWA while new members will directly join the Alliance.

The NSW Mine Workers Alliance is the second alliance between the MEU and the AWU with the Western Mine Workers Alliance launched in the Pilbara in 2013, covering BHP and Rio Tinto mine workers.

The Alliance will officially begin operating on 1 July 2024.

The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and Mining and Energy Union (MEU) are joining forces to launch a new Mining Union Alliance representing workers in metalliferous mining in NSW.

The NSW Mine Workers’ Alliance is being launched at regional events in Cobar and Broken Hill this week and will begin officially operating on 1 July 2024.

The Alliance will fight to ensure western NSW mining hubs benefit from critical minerals and transition metals industries, with secure local jobs and thriving communities.

AWU NSW Secretary Tony Callinan said the Alliance brought together two strong unions who would together provide workers with excellent representation and advocacy.

“Our two unions have a long and proven track record in representing mineworkers and their communities,” he said.

“Through this Alliance, members will benefit from our combined strength to deliver better jobs, pay, support and safety.

“Our current members in western NSW will have access to more services and support; and we are ready to build an organised, strong and united mining workforce.”

MEU South Western District Secretary Andy Davey said Broken Hill was the birthplace of Australia’s mining industry, but mineworkers in the region today are unsure about the future.

“Our members in western NSW keep hearing there is a bright future in critical minerals and transition metals, but they are concerned about what their own futures hold.

“We know that products like copper, zinc, and cobalt are essential to building Australia’s economy. But we also know from experience that workers and communities need a strong voice to get their fair share.

“Our Alliance will fight for the investment, good jobs and community services our NSW mining towns need to benefit from mining industries of the future.”

The MEU and AWU have members in mines from Broken Hill to Cobar and Orange to West Wyalong, producing gold, cobalt, copper, lead, zinc, nickel and silver. Existing members will have the opportunity to transfer membership to the NSWMWA while new members will directly join the Alliance.

The NSW Mine Workers’ Alliance is the second alliance between the two unions, with the Western Mine Workers Alliance launched in the Pilbara in 2013, covering BHP and Rio Tinto mine workers.

Launch events will be held in Cobar on Tuesday 11 June and Broken Hill on Thursday 13 June.