A SERIES of rolling strikes at six of BHP's Bowen Basin coal mines is scheduled to begin tomorrow as a war of words between the company and unions increased yesterday.

BHP was stunned yesterday at the union's insistence on proceeding with the rolling strikes given the company said it felt real progress had been made on negotiations.

"The union's decision to take further industrial action while negotiations are under way, and we are making demonstrable progress, is inexplicable," a BHP spokeswoman said.

"We are making every effort to increase the pace of negotiations and hold further meetings but the decision they have taken for further industrial action just seems to be aimed at disrupting further progress and causing financial harm."

The spokeswoman said BMA wanted the current agreement finalised as soon as possible.

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BMA was in discussion with the unions this week over the issue of pay rises.

BHP has offered annual pay rises of 5 per cent for its mines at Blackwater, Gregory Crinum, Norwich Park, Saraji, Peak Downs and Goonyella Riverside.

It's understood the dispute revolves around the withdrawal of a proposed $5000 bonus for workers signing up to the new enterprise agreement.

The Queensland president of the CFMEU's mining and energy division, Stephen Smyth, made it clear employees were after job security and training.

He disputed the issue was over the $5000 payment, which he described as "bribery", saying the dispute was not about a pay rise but job security and safety moving forward.

"We have not even turned out minds to a per centage of pay increase. It is also about protection of jobs and job security," he said.

Mine employees plan to stop work on tonight's night shift for 12 hours and repeat the stoppages on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday's night shifts.

job sec urity with this CRABON TAX I fear could end up being a thing of the past... when are these UNIONS going to see adding more fuel to the flame doesnt work.

lisa.greek wrote on Jun 23^rd, 2011 at 11:27am:



did they ban you from yahoo and a few other boards as well?..I am sure they did.

you are one sick dude..and shouldnt be left in charge of a computer it can get you into a lot of trouble.