AWUNZ historical coverage provides for mining as opposed to coal. The coverage included lime works, Gold mining and on shore and off shore oil exploration.

 

In recent times AWUNZ has remained the only union on site at the Oceana Gold mine in the lower South Island for over 25 years with over 250 members on site covered by 4 collective agreements, excluding the laboratory which has its own collective agreement, the contractor is SGS Ltd..

 

Oceana has had controversy all its life, with a number of concerns and numerous restructures, but still remains a significant employer in Otago, with a wage/salary contribution into the economy of around $300 million annually.

 

We remain the Union of choice for a couple of privately owned coal mines that struggle to maintain volume and remain viable despite restricting environmental constraints.