Latest news with #workersrights
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Peabody extends lockout at Helensburgh mine in Australia to three weeks
Peabody, a US-based coal giant, has extended the lockout of workers at the Helensburgh underground coal mine until 6 July, in response to a one-hour protected industrial action by the miners. The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) is now urging the federal government to address workplace laws that permit such disproportionate employer actions against workers' bargaining rights. Members of the MEU at Metropolitan Mine have been barred from work without pay by Peabody since 18 June. The miners, who anticipated returning to work on Thursday, were informed on the preceding Wednesday evening of the extended lockout. MEU South Western District president Bob Timbs said: 'Peabody's disproportionate response reveals a totally uneven playing field. Union members are required to hold a vote, reach a consensus on industrial action and notify employers in advance; employers are able to unilaterally lock out workers in response for as long as they want, denying the workers and their families an income. 'This is an important unfinished reform that we urge the government to address without delay, to fulfil their commitment to fair and genuine workplace bargaining.' Matt Potter, a mineworker from Helensburgh and a delegate for the MEU, has asserted that the workers remain undeterred by Peabody's tactics and will persist in their fight for fair wages and the protection of job security. Potter said: 'Peabody are posting hundreds of millions in profit for their shareholders, meanwhile we are the lowest-paid coal miners in the southern coalfields. We are simply asking for the retention of our long-standing job security clause and a pay rise to bring us in line with the other mines in the area.' Recently, Peabody Energy expressed concerns regarding its intended purchase of Anglo American's Tier 1 Australian steelmaking coal assets. A material adverse change has been cited, connected to the inactive state of the Moranbah North coal mine in Queensland's Bowen Basin following a gas ignition event on 31 March 2025. Peabody has indicated the possibility of withdrawing from the acquisition if the issues at the Moranbah North coal mine are not resolved within a set time frame. "Peabody extends lockout at Helensburgh mine in Australia to three weeks" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
News.com.au
7 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Sting in the tail for some workers in super boost
Workers are being urged to check with their pay packets to ensure an increase to the super guarantee doesn't result in their pay being docked. As the final increase to Australia's super guarantee comes into effect, employers will be required to devote a record 12 per cent of workers' salaries into their super for the first time. For most workers on an award agreement, it's happy days, with employers forced to tip in extra super without any reduction in their take-home pay. But there's a sting in the tail for a minority of workers who are on a total remuneration package including super, because it could mean less take-home pay. In fact, for up to 40 per cent of Australians who have an individual pay arrangement with their employer that pays superannuation as part of their salary package, the 0.5 per cent could result in a reduction in take-home pay. CPA Australia's Superannuation Lead, Richard Webb said while the super guarantee was positive for a majority of workers, some would cop a pay cut from July 1. 'If your employment contract includes a total remuneration package including super, this could mean less take-home pay at the end of the month,' he said. 'However, for those on award or enterprise agreements, your pay agreement is more likely to be a salary, which means the change will not affect your take-home pay. 'It's a good idea to check with your employer to see how they view the changes and what it means for you. Otherwise, you might get a shock if your take-home pay is a little less than expected.' Nearly 30 years after the Hawke-Keating Government introduced superannuation starting at just 1 per cent, around 14 million workers are set to secure the new boost. New Treasury analysis shows that millions of Australians will be better off at retirement as a direct result as the super guarantee lifts from 11.5 to 12 per cent. 'These reforms will make a meaningful difference for millions of Australians who work hard on low and award wages, and Australians working towards a well-deserved, dignified retirement,'' Treasurer Jim Chalmers said. 'Under Labor, inflation is down substantially, real wages are up, unemployment is low, our economy is growing, debt is down and interest rates are falling, but we know people are still under pressure. 'All the progress we have made together means we are well placed and well prepared at a time of global economic uncertainty and volatility. 'Since we've come to government, we've increased the superannuation guarantee four times, and this means an extra $98,000 at retirement for a 30 year old earning the average full-time income.' For example, a worker at age 30 earning the average full-time income (around $103,000) will have an extra $21,000 at retirement as a result of this 0.5 percentage point increase alone. However, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said taking into account all of the Albanese Government's increases to the Superannuation guarantee (from 10 per cent to 12 per cent), this worker will have an extra $98,000 at retirement.
CBS News
12 hours ago
- CBS News
Pomona labor group says wage theft is rising amid immigration actions
The Pomona City Council is hoping to find extra resources to help prosecute wage theft cases after a local workers' rights group said day laborers have been threatened with deportation after finishing a job. "Pay people what you owe them," Councilwoman Nora Garcia said. "It's quite that simple." Alexis Teodoro, the worker rights director at the Pomona Day Labor Center, said wage theft cases have skyrocketed in recent weeks. Since the immigration operation outside a Pomona Home Depot on April 22, the center has identified 30 instances where day laborers are owed money for their work, more than double the typical number seen during the same time period, according to Teodoro. "They finish their shift, and at the end, they don't pay them," Teodoro said. "When they exert their rights to get paid, which is their right under the California Labor Code, employers threaten them with calling immigration." In California, day laborers fall under the category of "casual labor," which typically classifies "workers hired for an hour, a day, a week or part time" as an employee, according to the California Employment Development Department. They could be paid "cash, check, meals, lodging, products or services, and the reasonable cash value of all pay in any form other than cash," according to the EDD. "You have rights," Teodoro said. "No matter your skin color, where you were born, what language you speak. In this country, especially in California, if you work an hour, it must be paid."
CBS News
17 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Minimum wage set to rise in 15 cities and states in July. Here's where.
Hundreds of thousands of workers across more than a dozen cities and states will soon receive higher pay, thanks to minimum wage hikes set to go into effect July 1. More than 800,000 workers in two states —Alaska and Oregon — as well as Washington, D.C., will be impacted by higher minimum wages that take effect July 1, according to the left-leaning economic think tank Economic Policy Institute (EPI). Additionally, a dozen cities and counties are also set to boost their baseline pay rates next month. The higher minimum wages come as the federal baseline rate remains at $7.25 an hour, where it's been parked since 2009. As the cost of living has crept higher in subsequent years, some states and municipalities have boosted their own minimum wages through a combination of ballot measures, inflation adjustments and legislation. "These minimum wage increases will put more money in workers' pockets, helping many of them and their families make ends meet," EPI state economic analyst Sebastian Martinez Hickey wrote in a post about the higher pay. "The average increase in annual wages for a full-time, year-round worker resulting from these minimum wage hikes ranges from $420 in Oregon to $925 in Alaska." About 58% of the workers who will receive pay hikes are women, while Black and Hispanic workers will also disproportionately benefit, according to the EPI's analysis. While the federal minimum wage hasn't budged in 16 years, there have been periodic attempts to boost it, with the latest coming from Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, who earlier this month introduced legislation to increase the national baseline wage to $15 per hour. He was joined by Vermont Democratic Sen. Peter Welch as a co-sponsor. Pay hikes in Alaska, D.C., and Oregon Alaska's baseline wage will rise by $1.09 to $13.00 an hour, which was approved via a ballot measure passed by voters. The boost will impact 6.3% of the state's workforce, or 19,400 people, who will see an average annual pay increase of $925, EPI calculates. In Washington, D.C., 7.5% of the workforce, or 62,200 workers, will benefit from the minimum wage rising by 45 cents to $17.95 an hour, thanks to an inflation adjustment formula. With the new minimum in place, a full-time worker in the nation's capital will earn an additional $727 in annual wages, on average, according to the EPI's calculations. Oregon's minimum wage will rise 35 cents to $15.05 an hour on July 1, also through an inflation adjustment, boosting pay for 9.4% of the state's workforce, or 801,700 workers. The average pay hike will equate to $420 annually. Where else are workers getting raises? In addition to Alaska, Oregon and Washington, D.C., 12 more cities and counties across California, Illinois and Maryland will boost their minimum wages next month: Alameda, California: The minimum wage will rise 46 cents to $17.46 Berkeley, California: The minimum wage will rise 51 cents to $19.18 Emeryville, California: The minimum wage will rise 54 cents to $19.90 Fremont, California: The minimum wage will rise 45 cents to $17.75 Los Angeles, California: The baseline wage will rise 59 cents to $17.87 Los Angeles County, California: The minimum wage will rise 54 cents to $17.81 Milpitas, California: The minimum wage will rise 50 cents to $18.20 Pasadena, California: The minimum wage will rise 54 cents to $18.04 San Francisco, California: The minimum wage will rise 51 cents to $19.18 Santa Monica, California: The minimum wage will rise 54 cents to $17.81 Chicago, Illinois: The minimum wage will rise 40 cents to $16.60 Montgomery County, Maryland: The minimum wage will rise 50 cents to $17.65
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Lisburn Tata workers strike over pay disparity with UK
Workers at Tata Steel in Lisburn have continued to strike over a pay dispute. Union representatives say they have been unable to reach an agreement for Northern Ireland workers. Clark Davis, senior Unite representative at Tata Steel, said workers "feel underpaid and underappreciated".Tata Steel said they are "disappointed" that industrial action in Lisburn has proceeded. Joanne McWilliams, Regional Officer for Unite the Union, described the treatment of workers at the site as "ridiculous", and said the strikes are taking place because of "respect and pay"."Workers here are paid less than a lot of sites in Britain. Most of our guys are on minimum wage".Ms McWilliams highlighted the dangerous nature of the work, as well as the highly-skilled nature of the roles. "It's not being recognised by the company." In order to address the pay dispute, Ms McWilliams said attempts have been made to talk to Tata management since December she feels they are not being listened to. "They cancelled a meeting with us on Tuesday. That's just total disrespect for our members based in Northern Ireland."Ms McWilliams also highlighted the increasing pressure on workers caused by the rising cost of month, the rate at which prices are rising, known as inflation, remained unchanged at 3.4%.Official figures show the rate at which UK rents are rising is close to a record high, hitting 8.6% in the 12 months to June."You're scraping the barrel to try and get your food, your electric, and everything else paid", said Ms McWilliams."Tata is huge. They can't turn around to us and say they don't have any money."Tata Steel were this year given the go-ahead by planners to to build a £1.25bn electric arc furnace at its Port Talbot steelworks in Wales. A Tata Steel spokesperson said: "We have been clear in our disappointment that Unite the Union chose to ballot their members and proceed with industrial action in Lisburn while Tata Steel was engaged with employee representatives from across the UK, which included Unite, in the annual national pay discussions."Those pay discussions have just concluded, with all unions recommending acceptance of the proposals to their members, and we have immediately re-engaged with local representatives."We are very proud of the strong and positive relationships we have built over many years with our Trades Union partners, and share the common goal of creating a long-term sustainable and successful future for the UK steel industry." Clark Davis, senior Unite Representative at Tata Steel, said that workers are unhappy that "pay keeps getting reduced and diluted by minimum wage going up", while pay remains the same."A lot of the men in the workforce do not feel respected. "They feel underpaid and underappreciated."John Rea, a machine operator at Tata, said the pay has fallen "way behind".Mr Rea said working for Tata in Lisburn used to be a good career choice, especially for people supporting young families. "You used to queue up to get into this job. It was one of the best jobs in the local area."Mr Rea highlighted the dangerous work involved with the role and said the risk involved does not match the pay."I don't think we're getting looked after properly." Grant Chambers, who has worked at the site for more than 26 years, said the workers "need more money" for the work they are doing."All we're asking for is a fair pay deal."
