Peabody ends third Wambo lockout after Fair Work Commission challenge

Peabody abandoned its third lockout of workers at the Wambo coal‑hand processing plant after the Mining and Energy Union (MEU) filed urgent proceedings with the Fair Work Commission. The company agreed to pay the affected employees for the days of the latest lockout and for three earlier lockout periods.

MEU Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams said the action demonstrated Peabody’s preference for lockouts over genuine bargaining and called for reforms to Australia’s lockout laws. He noted that the lockout notice was issued despite no industrial action occurring at the time, and that the company’s strategy backfired, forcing it to pay workers while failing to improve its offer.