The CFMEU will run a television advertisement highlighting the plight of almost 200 miners from the Oaky North mine in Central Queensland, who have been locked out by multinational mining giant and corporate tax cheat Glencore for over 150 days this year.

The ads will run 131 times on Prime and QLD 9 in Mackay, Townsville and Rockhampton over a two week period from this weekend.

The CFMEU Queensland District President Stephen Smyth said the union wanted the public to know that the workers will remain locked out this Christmas by Glencore.

“These workers are not on strike, they are locked out,” Stephen Smyth said.

“This is having a devastating impact on the workers, their families and the town of Tieri.

“On a reduced income for 150 days leading up to Christmas, they are under extreme pressure.”

Mr Smyth said Glencore’s approach to reaching an agreement was “their way or the highway.

“Glencore only participates in the negotiation process for window dressing. They do not negotiate. They have made it very clear to workers that they will not make any compromises.

“This is simply not the Australian way.

“Glencore has made mega profits from its Australian coal operations this year, at the same time, it has locked out the very people who make them that profit.

“We want the whole Central Queensland community to know what Glencore is doing to its workforce, their families and their community.”

Earlier this month the CFMEU took out ads in the Courier Mail and regional Queensland newspapers.

The CFMEU also launched a community appeal to help the workers over Christmas, which has raised $17,000.

You can donate here.

Media contact: Stephen Smyth – 0417 897 845; Rebecca Nicholson – 0409 216053