Mining News

Mining NEWS - Ernest Henry Mining Update (4/24/2009)

Ernest Henry Mining has announced that it will implement a new collective employment
agreement to ensure its employees continue to receive industry best conditions moving forward.

General Manager Ernest Henry Mining, Mr Mike Westerman, said employees ratified the new
collective agreement yesterday and it will become effective seven days after it is passed by the
Australian Workplace Authority.

“We have enjoyed a 12 year history of direct relationships with our employees through
individual employment agreements known as Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) and
Individual Transitional Employment Agreements (ITEAs),” said Mr Westerman.

”This system has allowed for a strong working relationship and culture to develop on site and is
something Ernest Henry Mining values and wishes to preserve for the future.

“We considered our options for the future and believe this collective employment agreement
will continue to deliver and ensure our employees continue to work under industry best
conditions,” he said.

“Our new collective agreement largely reflects the terms and conditions of our existing
individual agreements and provides our employees with security surrounding their work
conditions.

“We communicated openly and consulted regularly with our employees surrounding our plans
to implement a new collective agreement.

“Yesterday’s vote by Ernest Henry Mining’s employees to ratify the agreement demonstrates
that they both understand the changes and wholeheartedly support the new collective
agreement,” said Mr Westerman.

The Federal Government’s Fair Work Legislation means individual statutory employment
agreements can not be offered from 1 January 2010, encouraging parties to pursue collective
arrangements failing which a new ‘one size fits all’ Award would apply. Ernest Henry Mining has
developed a new collective employment agreement in line with these legislative changes.

Source: Xstrata

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