CFMEU Mining & Energy Division
Level 1, 365 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000
PO Box Q1641 Sydney NSW 1230
Telephone: (+61.2) 9267 1035 Facsimile: (+61.2) 9267 3
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Union welcomes Rio Tinto negotiation in the Pilbra
The CFMEU Mining and Energy division today welcomed a decision by Rio Tinto to
negotiate with the union over a new collective agreement among its workforce in the
Pilbra.
The mining giant has agreed to negotiate a new agreement to cover the wages and
conditions of more than 250 workers across its iron ore rail operations in the Pilbra
region.
The decisions follows a long campaign fought by Rio Tinto workers for the right to be
represented by their union in wage negotiations.
CFMEU Mining and Energy WA Secretary, Gary Wood hoped the decision marked
the beginning of the end of the company’s hostility towards union agreements.
“The CFMEU Mining and Energy union is hopeful that Rio Tinto’s decision to
negotiate collectively with its workforce marks the beginning of the new era of co-
operation,” Mr Wood said.
The mining giant moved to a system of individual contracts more than 15 years ago,
denying its employees their rights at work.
Mr Woods also said that the decision was also a recognition by Rio Tinto that the
industrial landscape in Australia had changed.
“In its decision to negotiate Rio Tinto has finally come to terms with the reality that
the rights of Australian workers have been restored under the Federal Government’s
fairer IR laws,” Mr Wood said.
The CFMEU will sit down with Rio Tinto management at the negotiating table in the
coming weeks and is hopeful of reaching an agreement.
For more information please call Garry Wood on 0418 931 057 or Tim Fitzsimmons
(EMC) on 0423 375 522
NEWS 
