The APESMA Employment and Remuneration Survey Report (2003) showed whilst coal miners pay remained stagnant, their hours of work had increased. Staff worked an average of 50.2 hours per week, an increase of 2.7% on 2002.

According to the survey just over 30% of staff had not received a pay increase in the past 12 months. Those who did receive a rise, received an average increase of 2.9%, well below the 4.4% enjoyed by other Australian employees under enterprise agreements.

The survey showed almost 16% of staff received a pay rise less than 2.5%, whilst the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.6% and the Australian Bureau of Statistics Wage Cost Index rose by 3.6%.

“The results of the APESMA survey confirm that staff in the coal mining industry are being squeezed from bother ends – they are regularly working excessive hours and the coal companies are not adjusting their pay in proportion with those extra hours,” said APESMA’s Catherine Bolger.

“As a result, coal companies are facing a crisis in attracting staff and retaining staff. At one Queensland mine near Moranbah the company has reported a 40% loss of staff in 2003. In the face of the APESMA survey results coal companies must urgently address the problem of excessive working hours including the impact on safety and fatigue, as well as balancing work and family needs,” she said.

A comprehensive report on remuneration in the coal industry will appear in the March edition of Australia's Longwalls magazine.