Love is not a word you probably associate with your local Mayor. But there’s alot of love for Mayor Anne Baker. She pumped $400 million into the Bowen Basin including for the new Moranbah Hospital, and she saved the town of Glenden. But Anne’s worried if Labor loses the election money for the district will dry up.…

Until now, members mining iron ore at BHP’s hot, dusty sites in the Pilbara haven’t had much say in their pay and conditions. But thanks to years of work by the Western Mine Workers Alliance they’ve finally got a seat at the table to talk about family friendly rosters, guaranteed annual pay increases, and on time flights.…

Cannabis can be prescribed to you by a doctor and over 600,000 Aussies are using it to treat medical conditions. But how are employers responding to use of cannabis products in high risk workplaces, like mine sites? We discuss impairment, workplace policies and find out how the union is helping members dealing with this emerging issue.…

One accident at work is one too many. But how do we make it to zero? One bloke who knows almost everything there is to know about workplace safety is Emeritus Professor Michael Quinlan. He says there are common causes, or patterns, in all workplace accidents. In fact there are 10 of them. We find out more.…

There are 27 pretty happy coal miners at the Mt Pleasant open cut in the Hunter Valley, they’re the 1st workers in the country to get a pay rise thanks to the Albanese Government's new ‘Same Job, Same Pay’ laws… they’ll be getting an extra $25,000 a year. So, how do they feel? And who will they spend that money on? SPOILER ALERT: It’ll be their mum…

Train drivers at BHP’s iron ore division in The Pilbara are celebrating - they’ve just signed a great deal - but it’s been a long dusty road. And they had to threaten strike action to make the company see sense. Their colleagues over at Rio Tinto have also inked a new agreement. We find out more.Af Warren Johncock - Pilbara Organiser, Rodney Slapp - Rio Tinto Pilbara Lodge President, Justin Parry - BHP Pilbara Lodge President

Coal miner Tom Mann was the Taylor Swift of unionists - he toured the world getting involved in union blues - like in Broken Hill where he was arrested helping miners in their fight against BHP. Phil Katz has written a new book on Tom Mann. In this episode Phil tells us about the vegetarian who carried guns, the working class man who spoke four lan…

Since the re-emergence of Black Lung disease in Queensland in 2015 the MEU has fought for improvements to legislation and industry practice. A recent conference in Cairns discussed what more can be done to prevent coal miners developing dust disease. Key presenters explain what the risks are, how they are managed and how workers can protect themsel…

The Callide open cut mine near Biloela is where the union will road test the Albanese Government’s new Same Job Same Pay provisions in the Closing The Loopholes Bill passed just before Christmas. Whether the contractors on site will get the same wages as directly employed miners is now up to the Fair Work Commission.…

Mining can be a life-long career - sure - but how many coal miners notch up a half century? And how many rack up that 50 years at the same mine? Robert ‘Macca’ MacPherson has been presented with the MEU’s 50-Year-Service Award after a lifetime living and working in Moura - a Central Queensland mining town itself steeped in history.…

Would you watch 24 miners box each other to raise money for a mate injured at work? Yes? Well plenty of people agree with you, the recent ‘Mates in Mining Fight Night’ in Cessnock was sold out weeks before the event. On this month’s episode we bring you the highlights.Af Jodie Dederer - Boxing Promoter, Ben Dederer - Boxing Promoter, Bridgette Price - Boxer, Haley McBeath - Boxer, Jay Stevens - Operator at Mandalong Mine, Joel Furner - Mates In Mining Field Officer, Mark Warren - Commentator

MEU organisers from around the country converged on Sydney this week to plan for 2024 - they flew in from Central Queensland, the Pilbara, Broken Hill and everywhere in between to celebrate their wins and plan for 2024. We caught up with them…Af Richard ‘Buff’ Staker - Organiser in Central Queensland, Warren Johncock - Organiser in the Pilbara (Train Drivers), Todd Hardy - Organiser in Northern Mining and NSW Energy District, Todd Ferguson - Organiser in South Western District (Broken Hill), Les Schefe - Organiser in South Western District, Alister Robinson - Organiser in the Pilbara (Western Mine Workers Alliance), Nicholas Price - Organiser in the Pilbara (Western Mine Workers Alliance)

As a special bonus this month we’re replaying an episode of an ABC podcast called ‘The History Listen’, it’s part of a series called ‘dusted’ about lung diseases associated with mining and features former Common Cause editor Paddy Gorman, and Miners Federation General Secretary Barry Swan.Af Paddy Gorman - Former Common Cause editor, Barry Swan - Former Miners Federation General Secretary

Same Job Same Pay for labour hire workers is part of the Closing Loopholes bill before the federal parliament and are being examined by a senate committee. The MEU’s top legal eagle, Adam Walkaden, breaks down some of the misinformation employer groups are telling Senators.Af Adam Walkaden - MEU National Legal Director

Chris Griffith owes his life to The Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service. Of course as a 15-year-old, the Duralie Lodge member had no way of knowing it was the contributions of Hunter Valley coal miners which funded the chopper that saved him after a horror motorbike crash.Af Robin Williams - Northern Mining & NSW Energy President, Chris Griffith - MEU Member at Duralie Lodge, Richard Jones - Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

Diesel fitter Colin Gray is a delegate at the Carmichael mine in Queensland. As the Voice referendum approaches, Colin talks about it what it means to him and why it’s important for politicians to hear directly from Aboriginal communities.Af The Mining And Energy Union

Industry Health & Safety Representatives – known as ‘check inspectors’ – play a unique role in the sector. Some say they have the most important job in the coal industry. This episode we find out about the history and responsibility of the ‘check inspector’ role and meet two ISHRs to find out what makes them tick.…

Many of the worst disasters to hit coal mining occurred in July. We’ve delved into our archives to bring you a chat with the former General Secretary about what we can learn from them.Af Andrew Vickers - Former General Secretary

Lawrence Watson’s love affair with drilling began on Valentine's Day 2012 and he’s been going strong ever since. But what makes a good driller? And how will automation change the game?Af Lawrence Watson - Open Cut Driller at Mt Arthur South

Members of the Mining And Energy Union will vote in coming weeks whether to become an independent organisation. We hear from members why they’re voting yes and from General Secretary Grahame Kelly on how the vote will work.Af Grahame Kelly - General Secretary, Kerry Konieczny - Shotfirer at United Wambo, Peter Compton - MEU Member (& Central Councillor) at Mt Piper Power Station, Rodney Slapp - Rio Tinto Pilbara Lodge President

What legal changes are the Albanese Government making to get rid of the labour hire and casualisation rorts? And how are they criminalising wage theft and pay secrecy clauses? We find out what laws have already passed and which are coming down the pipe from the MEU’s top legal eagle, Adam Walkaden.Af Adam Walkaden - MEU National Legal Director

Those responsible for Graeme Edwards’ death almost got away with it. Luckily the Victorian Branch of the MEU were on the case and forced a prosecution of Energy Australia through the courts resulting in a $1.5 million fine and justice for Graeme’s mother, brother and sisters.Af Mark Richards - Victorian District Secretary, Luke Hopton - Graeme Edwards’ brother, Steve Smyth - Queensland District President

We talk to MEU members from power stations and the coal mines that supply them about their concerns as the energy industry rapidly changes – including jobs of the future, safety, the challenges of more renewables entering the grid and why we need an federal Energy Transition Authority.Af Shane ‘Rusty’ McGovern - VP of Callide Power Lodge at Callide Power Station, Peter Compton - MEU Member (& Central Councillor) at Mt Piper Power Station, Dan Smith - MEU Member at Mt Piper Power Station, Mark Micallef - MEU Member at Yallourn Open Cut Coal Mine

What does it take to become a longwall operator in an underground mine? This episode we find out the dos and don’ts of this key role from a 6th generation miner.Af Cal Douglas - Longwall Operator at Mandalong Mine

What a year! Voters in the Hunter Valley sent coal miner ‘Big Dan’ Repacholi to Canberra, the national energy grid became big news, and the Albanese Government passed its first batch of Industrial Relations laws. Sadly this year we also lost ‘living legend of the Illawarra’, Fred Moore. This episode we look back on the highs and lows of 2022.…

When BHP tried to dud their apprentices at Peak Downs, Saraji, Goonyella Riverside & Blackwater out of maternity leave, Jenna Saunders sprung into action. Thanks to Jenna, apprentices like Paige Martin can give her newborn baby Nova the best possible start in life. It’s one of the reasons Jenna won Queensland delegate of the year.…

Shotfirers, or chargers as they’re known in hard rock mines, handle dangerous explosives every day. So it’s an action packed job. But how can getting your shotfirer ticket also be a great career move? And how does the job differ in metalliferous mines? We speak to Greg Braes who’s spent 32 years mining silver, zinc and lead in Broken Hill.…

Just in time for Labour Day; The Coal Creek War of 1891, where a Tennessee mining company sacked its workers, tore down their homes and brought in prisoners to replace them. What happened next wasn’t pretty. Hear this and many other stories from author Kim Kelly.Af The Mining And Energy Union

Ten teams from the Lithgow, Moolarben and Gunnedah districts recently battled it out at the Western Mines Rescue Competition. We followed the team from Springvale as they strove for glory. Who took out best team? You’ll have to listen to find out…Af Mark D’Elboux - Mines Rescue Western Regional Manager, Mark ‘Jenko’ Jenkins - Vice-Captain Springvale Mines Rescue Team, Luke Smith - Springvale Mines Rescue Team, Nick Mostyn - Springvale Mines Rescue Team

What would it take to get your bum in the seat of a 6000 tonne, 24 storey dragline excavator? This episode you’ll find out what it’s like to drive one of these monsters and what skills you need to do it.Af Chris Moylan - Dragline Operator at Mt Thorley Warkworth

What’s driving the east coast ‘energy crisis’? General President Tony Maher gives us his take. And we find out how power station workers in Western Australia are managing a ‘just transition’ for their families and communities as the government announces the coal fired power stations in the state will close by 2029.…

Members at arguably the most famous coal mine in Australia - the Carmichael open cut in Queensland - feel dudded. Not only is the pay terrible but safety and COVID procedures are pretty crook too. And the mob in control, MacKellar, are fond of saying ‘we’re the reserve grade bush footy team who landed in the NRL’. Now, workers are getting organised…

Third generation coal miner, Moranbah local and Labor Party candidate for the seat of Capricornia Russell Robertson talks about ‘Same Job, Same Pay’, the betrayal of coal miners by the Nats and One Nation and his plans to beef up health services and social housing in central Queensland.Af The Mining And Energy Union

This Federal election, the Mining and Energy Union is campaigning for Same Job Same Pay laws to end the pay discrimination between labour hire coal miners and permanent employees. Labor’s Shadow Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke explains how Same Job Same Pay would workAf The Hon Tony Burke MP - Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations

Unionists in the Illawarra are celebrating the life of Mining and Energy Union life member Fred Moore - who passed in January - just nine months short of his 100th birthday. Fred started mining at 14 and was an advocate for women’s rights, a supporter of the local Aboriginal community and a workers’ rights activist.…

It’s time to get excited if you live in Cessnock, Muswellbrook or Singleton because you get to vote for a coal miner at the coming Federal Election. Five time Olympian and Mining & Energy Union member Dan Repacholi is running in the Hunter to ensure mining families get a fair shake of the sauce bottle.…

Working 6 days a week, 12 hours a day might seem crazy but for 1,100 Alabama coal miners it’s their reality. They’ve been on strike since April Fool’s Day - but this is no joke - the faceless private equity firms which operate their mines have zero conscience and are more interested in recruiting strike breakers than talking to their workforce.…

The horrific burns suffered by five members in Anglo American’s Grosvenor mine in May last year were avoidable. The company had been warned many times about safety issues. Now members have taken matters into their own hands and formed the first ever labour hire only lodge to ensure it never happens again.…

Iron ore train drivers in the Pilbara are exhausted. They’ve borne the brunt of a sector booming in the middle of a pandemic - leaving some stuck over east chewing up leave and some doing double the work in 45 degrees in the west.Af Warren Johncock - Mining & Energy Union Pilbara Organiser, Justin Parry - BHP Pilbara Lodge President, Rodney Slapp - Rio Tinto Pilbara Lodge President

On this day in 1921 75 miners at Mt Mulligan in Far North Queensland never returned home from work. The town lost three quarters of its men that day. On this episode you’ll meet some of the men involved.Af Amity Best - Local Student, Alicia Patterson - Local History Enthusiast, Ken Best - Mt Mulligan Miner

The BHP Central Agreement is the biggest and most comprehensive agreement in the Queensland coalfields. As negotiations get underway for the next deal, we look back at the 40+ year history of blues, wins and epic struggles that have shaped conditions at work and in coal communities.Af Steve Smyth - Queensland District President, Marty Crane - Former Peak Downs Lodge President, Leonie Crane - Partner of Former Peak Downs Lodge President, Steve Pierce - Queensland District Vice-President

The BHP Central Agreement is the biggest and most comprehensive agreement in the Queensland coalfields. As negotiations get underway for the next deal, we look at back at the 40+ year history of blues, wins and epic struggles that have shaped conditions at work and in coal communities.Af Steve Pierce - Queensland District Vice-President, Tim Brunero - Host, Shane Kinnane - Former Goonyella Riverside Lodge President, Marty Crane - Former Peak Downs Lodge President, Steve Smyth - Queensland District President

What do union delegates do when a member comes to them with a problem? And how do they approach prospective members regarding joining up? We find out.Af Mick Weise - Trainer and Organiser, Heath Timmins - Moura Lodge Secretary & Central Councillor, Chad Hanson - Mt Thorley Warkworth Lodge President

Northern Mining and NSW Energy Vice President Jeff Drayton has thrown his hat in the ring for the crucial 22 May Upper Hunter by-election in NSW. He explains why he’s running and the first thing he’ll do if he’s elected.Af The Mining And Energy Union

In 1963 one woman took down a massive mining company armed only with a bottle of water. This is her story.Af Andrew Vickers, Judith Martin, Tim Brunero

The WA Coal Mining Industry is centred on the town of Collie in the South West of the state - the local mines and power stations have been keeping the lights on in WA for generations.Collie Coal Mining has an incredible history - and they’ve been celebrating that history recently.They’ve got a underground coal mine replica, virtual reality shovel d…

Mining and energy industries have traditionally been among the most male-dominated in Australia. But women’s numbers have been growing in our workplaces and importantly, in the Union. There are now more women workplace leaders than ever in the Mining and Energy Union. This episode we meet some of the women delegates to the National Convention at th…

Nic’s 200 tonne truck burst into flame underneath him one winter’s day back in 2018, and he was lucky to escape with just a few burns. He relives the story and we work out what we can learn from the incident and the subsequent rescue. Do you have a story of a close call like Nic’s? We’d love to hear it - email us at commoncause@cfmeu.com.au…

How do good EAs get made? And what about bad ones? Find out how labour hire companies use dodgy EAs to remove members’ right to strike and deny them permanent jobs & proper pay.Af Alex Bukarica

We are going to end the year on the podcast with some inspiration from union legend, Tom McDonald on how to win a blue.Af Chloe & Jason Roweth - Musicians and Historians, Steve Smyth - Queensland President, Tom McDonald - Former ACTU Vice-President & former Secretary of the Building Workers Industrial Union