The mine workers endorsed the agreement yesterday following negotiations between the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and Xstrata Coal.

The new agreement includes paid union meetings and payroll deductions for union membership.

It also includes up to 10 weeks of paid maternity leave as if at work, two days of paid paternity leave, increased accident pay as if at work for the first 39 weeks and increased public holiday payments for roster workers.

As well as the introduction of an allowance for shotfirers to recognise their extra responsibility and a 12 per cent increase to the base hourly rate of pay over the term of the agreement.

In a media release issued yesterday, CFMEU Northern District Vice President Greg Sharp said he was pleased with the outcome.

“This collective agreement has turned back the clock on some of the conditions prohibited under Work Choices,” Mr Sharp said.

“This is a good outcome in the current economic climate and a good, all round outcome for the workers.

“I am proud it has been achieved by the commitment of the workforce, who I am proud to say are 100 per cent unionised,” he added.

Mine workers at Xstrata Coal’s Bulga complex took strike action in January in a fight for changes to their EA.

About 250 workers, almost 100 per cent of the mine’s workforce, stopped work for 48 hours. The action included continued rolling stoppages upon a return to work.

In a response to the rolling stoppages, Xstrata Coal took employer response action and informed its employees not to attend work for a 24 hour period.

At the time, Xstrata said the response action was made because it was not practical for the company to operate with continuous interruptions.