The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said 160 Ulan workers walked off the job for this round of stoppages, and two hour rolling stoppages will continue in the coming days.  

A Glencore spokesman told Australia’s Mining Monthly that it was disappointing employees at its Ulan underground mine had taken protected industrial action.

“The action, in the form of bans and labour withdrawal, has been undertaken while enterprise agreement bargaining is underway,” he said.

“We will continue to negotiate in good faith with employee representatives to achieve an agreement that is fair to our employees and good for the Ulan operation.”