Stephen Smyth, chairman of the Department of Mine and Energy of Queensland, Australia, has stated that mine workers in Australia have voted for a big strike though the Australian Coal Miners Union is expected to continue to talk to BHP Billiton and BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA). This would be the first big strike in the country in the past 10 years.
Mr. Smyth also stated that the workers would not launch the strike before the last day of negotiations on June 10.
4,000 workers at the seven mines in Bowen Basin, Queensland owned by BMA have requested improved working conditions and higher salaries. A BHP Billiton official commented that BMA is still carrying out negotiations with union representatives on a new labor agreement.