Workers at Glencore’s Australia refinery plan strike after pay talks fail

Workers at Glencore’s copper refinery in North Queensland plan to go on strike after nearly a year of failed negotiations over pay and working conditions, the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) said on Wednesday.

The union said workers at the Townsville refinery would walk off the job on Friday if their concerns are not resolved at a bargaining meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Glencore has refused to offer workers a “decent” wage increase that keeps pace with the rising cost of living, after talks with the London-listed miner began in late March last year, the AWU added.

Glencore, in an emailed response to Reuters, said it was disappointed that the AWU intends to take industrial action at the Townsville refinery and remains committed to reaching an agreement that supports its workforce.

In Australia, the miner produces zinc, copper, silver and other minerals across 20 active mining operations and employs about 17,000 people, according to its website.

The Australian government last year announced a A$600 million ($430.74 million) bailout over three years for Glencore’s Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery, as Western nations seek to bolster critical mineral supply chains amid concerns over reliance on China.

“Despite securing a government funding package last year, the refinery is expected to continue losing money,” Glencore said.

($1 = 1.3930 Australian dollars)

(By Nikita Maria Jino; Editing by Sumana Nandy and Eileen Soreng)