The announcement that BHP Billiton is to merge with Rio Tintos Iron Ore operations is bad news for Western Australian workers, according to AMWU West Australian Secretary, Steve McCartney.

“This decision couldn’t come at a worse time for WA workers and their families who are already feeling the pressures of the global economic downturn,” said Mr McCartney.

BHP & Rio Tinto have already sacked over 2,000 workers at Ravensthorpe, Mt Keith and other mines in the past few months. The union fears that this announcement signals that many more jobs could go.

“The companies are saying that by combining their iron ore production facilities they can save over $12 billion. This can only mean that hundreds, maybe thousands more local jobs will go when this merger happens.”

“They are talking about using the same rail lines and joining together adjacent mines which will lead to a mass clear out of train drivers, miners and other specialised trades people at the various BHP and Rio Tinto Iron Ore facilities in the Pilbara.”

“Yet again profits and the interests of shareholders are being put before the lives and livelihoods of WA workers. Workers continue to die on WA mines and all these multinational companies can think of is profit.”
 
Mr McCartney called on BHP and Rio Tinto to guarantee that Western Australian workers and their families don’t suffer as a result of this announcement.

“Workers who’ve given years of loyalty to these companies should be looked after and these companies need to remember this as they proceed with the merger,” said Mr McCartney.

At least 9,000 other mining workers have been retrenched in WA since the downturn began.