Victory for Boggabri Coal miners after five-months of strikes for better work conditions from Idemitsu

Since August, miners had been protesting for the same conditions in place at Idemitsu's other mines in the Hunter Valley and regional Queensland.

CFMEU northern mining vice president Jeff Drayton said the conditions in the new deal now matched, and in some cases exceed, those received by workers in other coal mining regions.

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"For too long, coal miners in the Gunnedah Basin have been treated like the poor cousins of the industry," Mr Drayton said.

"These workers have now closed the gap in conditions with the Hunter Valley and they have gone a long way towards closing the gap in pay."

The five-month campaign included regular rolling stoppages, rallies and a mass meeting in Gunnedah, with the union claiming agreement on offer would see the Boggabri workers paid $45,000 less a year than the company's other miners.

The industrial action culminated in Idemitsu locking workers out of the mine site for six days in mid-November.

After that, there were no more strikes and both parties came to the table, with negotiations progressing much more quickly.

"This result has only been achieved through the unity, organisation and determination of our members at Boggabri Coal," Mr Drayton said.

"It is a great tribute to them and a great example of what workers can achieve through collective action."

A spokesperson for Boggabri Coal said the mining company was "pleased that an agreement has been reached".

"We are grateful to our local community for the strong support we have received," Boggabri Coal spokesperson said.

The new enterprise agreement was supported by 86 per cent of workers and includes 27 new conditions.

Workers will get a 12 per cent pay rise over the course of the agreement, a guaranteed bonus system and salary rate sick leave.

Arbitration for all matters will be brought by the CFMEU for fair resolution of disputes.

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