Last month, the Mining and Energy Union held its National Convention – an event that brings together hundreds of workplace representatives from across Australia to reflect on the last four years and set the course for the next four.

MEU General Secretary Grahame Kelly said that after a week of celebrating the Union’s achievements it was fitting that on November 1 – the last day of Convention, workers woke up to pay rises in the tens of thousands with new Same Job Same Pay laws kicking in.

“It was fantastic to round out Convention on such a high note with some of the associated pay rises from Same Job Same Pay kicking in,” he said.

Grahame said that despite Same Job Same Pay being the law of the land, BHP continues to dig their heels in for a fight over Same Job Same Pay, challenging applications for BHP Operations Services (OS) workers.

Members reflected that a highlight of Convention was a 500-hundred strong rally which delivered a strong and direct message to BHP shareholders from coal mineworkers and the MEU Northern District’s pipe band – Time’s Up, Pay Up!

Grahame said that Convention was an opportunity to chart the course for the next few years, but was also a time to reflect on the significant changes the Union had gone through in recent years.

At the MEU’s last National Convention nearly four years ago, delegates were asked to decide whether they should pursue a future independent of the CFMEU and form a standalone Mining and Energy Union. The result was a unanimous ‘yes’ to pursuing independence.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus addressed delegates on the Union’s success since becoming an independent Union and the MEU’s contribution to the union movement since then.

In addition to Same Job Same Pay, Sally pointed to the collective wins of the union movement including mandatory conciliation in bargaining, access to arbitration in intractable disputes, multi-employer bargaining, delegates rights, stopping employers terminating enterprise agreements during bargaining, 10 days paid domestic violence leave and fixing up Coal Long Service Leave (LSL).

“More than at any time in the past 30 years, workers can see that the Union can achieve change, and our Union has grown by more than 3,000 members since our last Convention,” said Grahame.

“While we will continue to campaign for and celebrate these wide-reaching national reforms and take bold steps to safeguard our Union’s future, we will continue to focus on the day-to-day work of our Union for our current and future members.”

At the Convention, Union Officials and Organisers gave presentations on a range of topics including fighting for strong enterprise agreements and trends and challenges in safety across the mining and energy industry.

Members were invited to participate in workshops and member-led panels on a range of topics including representing women at work, putting delegates’ rights into action, and achieving better bargaining outcomes.

Members also heard from guest speakers, including an inspirational presentation from former coal miner, safety advocate and Paralympian Brant ‘Bugsy’ North. Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Annie Butler also gave a fantastic presentation about how her Union has become the largest and fastest growing Union in the country.

The MEU also continued their proud tradition of global solidarity. Members heard from special international guests from Japan, South Africa, the UK, the USA, New Zealand and IndustriALL about their shared challenges and struggles.

Grahame said the MEU will build on the extraordinary progress since their last Convention nearly four years ago and that they look forward to seeing where the next four years take them.