Peabody Energy backpays $5 million to Australian miners
Peabody Energy Australia has rectified almost $5 million in unpaid wages, superannuation and interest for 197 workers across New South Wales and Queensland. The total back‑payment amounted to $4,982,070, which included $988,568 in interest and $20,511 in superannuation. Payments covered underpayments that occurred between January 2016 and April 2023, with individual refunds ranging from $272 to $91,013 (excluding superannuation and interest).
The company signed an enforceable undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman, committing to ongoing compliance measures such as an independent audit and new payroll guidelines. Fair Work Ombudsman senior officer Anna Booth praised the back‑payments and the company’s pledged improvements. The Mining and Energy Union condemned Peabody for the underpayments and for lockouts during enterprise‑agreement negotiations at the United Wambo washery, noting that the repayment followed the enforceable undertaking.
Entities: Anna Booth · Fair Work Ombudsman · Mining and Energy Union · Peabody Energy · United Wambo washery
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Mining and Energy Union condemned Peabody Energy and noted the company entered the enforceable undertaking after repaying almost $5 million to 197 workers. (Union condemnation)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Peabody Energy has been in protracted enterprise‑agreement negotiations with workers at the United Wambo washery, during which employees faced repeated lockouts. (Negotiation and lockout details)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Peabody Energy signed an enforceable undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman. (Legal agreement)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The total back‑payment was $4,982,070, including $988,568 in interest and $20,511 in superannuation. (Back‑payment details)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Underpayments occurred between January 2016 and April 2023. (Period of underpayment)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Individual refunds ranged from $272 to $91,013, excluding superannuation and interest. (Refund range)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Peabody Energy rectified nearly $5 million to 197 underpaid workers across NSW and Queensland. (Peabody Energy underpayment settlement)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Fair Work Ombudsman senior officer Anna Booth said compliance checks are an important cornerstone for ensuring workers are paid correctly. (Anna Booth quote)