What legal changes are the Albanese Government making to get rid of the labour hire and casualisation rorts? And how are they criminalising wage theft and pay secrecy clauses? We find out what laws have already passed and which are coming down the pipe from the MEU’s top legal eagle, Adam Walkaden.

Those responsible for Graeme Edwards’ death almost got away with it. Luckily the Victorian Branch of the MEU were on the case and forced a prosecution of Energy Australia through the courts resulting in a $1.5 million fine and justice for Graeme’s mother, brother and sisters.

We talk to MEU members from power stations and the coal mines that supply them about their concerns as the energy industry rapidly changes – including jobs of the future, safety, the challenges of more renewables entering the grid and why we need an federal Energy Transition Authority.

What does it take to become a longwall operator in an underground mine? This episode we find out the dos and don’ts of this key role from a 6th generation miner.

What a year! Voters in the Hunter Valley sent coal miner ‘Big Dan’ Repacholi to Canberra, the national energy grid became big news, and the Albanese Government passed its first batch of Industrial Relations laws. Sadly this year we also lost ‘living legend of the Illawarra’, Fred Moore. This episode we look back on the highs and lows of 2022.

When BHP tried to dud their apprentices at Peak Downs, Saraji, Goonyella Riverside & Blackwater out of maternity leave, Jenna Saunders sprung into action. Thanks to Jenna, apprentices like Paige Martin can give her newborn baby Nova the best possible start in life. It’s one of the reasons Jenna won Queensland delegate of the year.

Shotfirers, or chargers as they’re known in hard rock mines, handle dangerous explosives every day. So it’s an action packed job. But how can getting your shotfirer ticket also be a great career move? And how does the job differ in metalliferous mines? We speak to Greg Braes who’s spent 32 years mining silver, zinc and lead in Broken Hill.

Just in time for Labour Day; The Coal Creek War of 1891, where a Tennessee mining company sacked its workers, tore down their homes and brought in prisoners to replace them. What happened next wasn’t pretty. Hear this and many other stories from author Kim Kelly.

Ten teams from the Lithgow, Moolarben and Gunnedah districts recently battled it out at the Western Mines Rescue Competition. We followed the team from Springvale as they strove for glory. Who took out best team? You’ll have to listen to find out…

What would it take to get your bum in the seat of a 6000 tonne, 24 storey dragline excavator? This episode you’ll find out what it’s like to drive one of these monsters and what skills you need to do it.