It appears that mining is coming off the boil, some would suggest to a 'sustainable level' so as to say and given there were huge wage increases during the boom times (due to supply V demand) , the question is, should miners be able to reneotiate IR so conditions come back to a sustainable levels as well.

Perhaps a rehash of IR could save some of the jobs, as mining, like most other businesses generally allow a percentage of turnover for wages.

A lowing of wages would obviously allow for more to share in the payroll.

The miners are still advertising for workers here. They probably have a whopping turnover.

Politicians & Senior Public Servants would be a perfect start for reducing wages.
Also, introducing a salary system based on merit.
Establish a Non military national service (19-21 age), Establish a Government owned/run lottery where people can win a permanent income equivalent to the average wage & also win homes (nothing fancy). Can you imagine how small our unemployment figures would be in six months ? Imagine the building industry etc. all paid for by Government lottery. Imagine the cost savings to the community.
Imagine the improved morale in our society. Look at this week's lottery. $70million. That's simply too much. Divide that by 10 & image how much better the outcome for more people.
There is plenty of money out there it's just not being managed properly, too much waste.

Rehctub>> It appears that mining is coming off the boil, some would suggest to a 'sustainable level' so as to say and given there were huge wage increases during the boom times (due to supply V demand) ,<<

Just one question Rehctub, do middle management, senior management , CEO’s and the like get their pay cut, if so, so should the workers, if not then not.

This discussion regarding mega wages for the miners is an issue almost exclusive to WA, where the tyranny of distance and the scant housing available means a load of the mega money goes towards sustaining yourself while you are there.

sonofgloin, I can't answer your question, as I don't know.
however, I would suggest those you speak of work much harder during tougher times, as the saying goes, manage the bad times, as good times look after themselves.

In any case, I would assume these people are on some type of bonus system, so I guess they may be earning less.

In any case, unions will have to decide whether to save jobs, or save conditions, as they won't be able to do both.

579, I thought you were away, as you didnt answer my question from a previous thread.

as they won't be able to do both.
rehctub,
the past30 years they only focused on saving their positions.

IMAGINE! if individual was 20 years old. We could pack him off to ANTARCTICA doing some non military national service, shoveling up penguin poo. With his lottery ticket in one hand (first prize a blind folded date with a polar bear, the bind fold is for the bear, in case individual is ugly) and his shovel in the other. He can live in a government provided igloo (nothing fancy) and free sardines to eat, imagine the boom to the fishing industry. Imagine the improved morale in our society with individual sitting on an iceberg in the Southern Ocean 5000 miles away from the rest of us. And defiantly no 'puter on that berg, no more posts from individual. LOL

Paul1405,
yeah, you're an Engineer alright in both foresight & mentality. Seeing that you're way too silly to understand after all you are rather qualified in your circles I'll point out to you again that Non Military national Service has the backing of everyone I deal with & everyday. It's only the qualified like yourself whose mentality doesn't allow them to think of others other than getting something out of them for nothing.
The lack of a constructive retort is always compounded by having to resort to ridicule. This Labor policy is starting to get unfashionable & being an Engineer doesn't excuse not having any foresight.
I challenge you to find me someone who wouldn't like a well paid job or a paid for home instead of having to pay taxes to keep hangers on not deserting the Labor Party.

individual, you claim to be a practical person. You put forward your notion of "Establish a Non military national service (19-21 age)" which you like to refer to often in your posts: "I'll (individual) point out to you again that Non Military national Service has the backing of everyone I deal with everyday."
Considering 19 to 24 year old's make up 1,000,000 of Australia's population. please enlighten us as to the how's, when's and why's of your grand plan and how you envisage the implementation of your non military national service program. Remember its for 1,000,000 people. I await your (practical) ideas.