Workers at Yancoal Australia's Premier coal mine have voted to launch industrial action amid a pay dispute, with staff pushing for higher wages and greater clarity on workplace entitlements and future earnings, the Mining and Energy Union (MEU) reported on September 9.

Over 90% of MEU members backed all proposed industrial actions, including work stoppages exceeding 12 hours, though no strike timetable has been announced. Members from the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union also supported the action, with a 93% vote in favor.

Premier coal mine supplies coal to Western Australian power generators and is slated for closure near the end of this decade, as Western Australia phases out state-owned coal-fired power generation by 2030.

The union stated the existing enterprise agreement contains six potential roster models. Adoption of certain rosters may alter calculations for redundancy payouts.

Australian mining operations have seen a growing wave of industrial action, driven by inflation and workplace law reforms introduced under the Labor government.