How can coal fired power station workers across the country ensure they retain stable well paying jobs and their communities thrive into the future? Industry Minister Tim Ayres talks about the success Collie has had in transforming itself, and the role of the NZEA in supporting regional industries across the country.

Why is a 130-year-old coal mine back in the news? Miners at Metropolitan mine in Helensburgh have been chalking up the wins this month, securing a strong new EA despite being locked out by their bosses and winning a monumental case in the High Court. Join us to catch up on what’s been going on at Australia’s oldest mine.

BHP’s been told! The Fair Work Commission has ruled its labour hire rort is over and it needs to cough up the $30,000 per person it’s been dudding ‘Operations Services’ workers at its Peak Downs, Saraji and Goonyella Riverside mines. That’s over 2,300 mine workers. We find out what happens next.

Bob Hawke could scull a beer faster than anyone on the planet, he also gave us Medicare. But when he was a union advocate what was so special about him people wanted him to be Prime Minister? We find out and meet a heap of other union legends who brought us the rights we all enjoy at work today.

Enterprise Agreements set out coal worker’s pay and conditions. But how are they negotiated? And what happens if agreement can’t be reached? In this episode we tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Enterprise Agreements.

Where do you find the best burgers in the Hunter? ‘Big’ Dan Repacholi shares his favourite haunts and talks about the pride he feels when miners tell him about the tens of thousands of dollars of extra pay they’re getting because of his government’s new laws. But what has he got in store for the district if he and Albo win a second term?

Planning or expecting a new baby in your family? It can be extra challenging to juggle new parenthood with shift work like mining. In this episode, we talk to operator Rebecca and MEU lawyer Eliza about your rights on parental leave, return to work and flexibility; how to stand up for them and where we need to improve.

It can be intimidating to be called into the boss’s office. It’s usually not for a pat on the back. Knowing your rights and having a solid game plan can make all the difference to getting a fair outcome. In today’s episode we give you practical tips to navigate disciplinary meetings; or provide effective support to a workmate.

Crims, rebels, troublemakers. It might be time to re-think some of the characters sent to Australia from Britain in the 1800s. It turns out most convicts weren’t criminals, they were political activists or the criminalised poor - many were rebel coal miners sent to Australia for standing up to the man. Noone thought when they got here they’d keep up the fight. The fact they did meant this country became one of the fairest societies on the planet. In this episode we meet some of them.