Job security, working conditions and more are at the heart of a potential strike action by workers at four mines in the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) met coal operations portfolio in Australia.

According to a Reuters report, the 2,000-plus union members’ representative said 28 September local time its members were scheduled to vote on action after months of waiting.

"We had 15 months of negotiations with BHP, then another three months of negotiations assisted by the Fair Work Commission, but BHP refuses to do the right thing," Stephen Smyth, the Mining & Energy Union's (MEU) Queensland president, said in a statement, as Reuters reported.

However, neither Mitsubishi Development or BHP have responded with a public statement on the situation.

Smyth told the wire service that discussions have not yet reached the point of discussing wage hikes. as the current focus is on working conditions and job security.

BMA is owned 50-50 by BHP and Mitsubishi Development. The joint venture, which includes seven total mines, is Australia’s largest supplier and producer of seaborne met coal.

Source: Reuters