Peabody is expected to have to fork out about $3 million for Coppabella mineworkers in Central Queensland after a union win at the Fair Work Commission.

CFMEU Mining and Energy said the commission had ruled that a requirement to attend the site office 15 minutes before shift for preparations and transport was work time. 

The legal win would deliver hundreds of affected workers up to $15,000 each in backpay, it said.

Queensland District legal officer Chris Newman said the decision was significant in clarifying the nature of ‘work’ that should be paid by the employer and could be relevant at other mine sites and even across other industries where employers required compulsory attendance or tasks to be completed before shift starts.

It follows a case where mineworkers at Cameby Downs coal mine were awarded up to $17,000 each in backpay after being required to participate in pre-start briefings before their paid workday started.

At Coppabella, a change instituted in 2016 required workers to attend the main administration building 15 minutes ahead of their 6am or 6pm shift start to complete preparatory tasks like swiping in, collecting PPE, finding out the nature and location of their work for the shift before being transported to their on-site pre-start briefing.

A Peabody spokeswoman said the company accepted and acknowledged the Fair Work Commission’s ruling and would move to implement the required payments to workers within the set timeframe.

CFMEU Mining and Energy district president Stephen Smyth said the millions in backpay ordered by the Fair Work Commission was the direct result of union members standing up to a multinational mining company over unfair work practices.

“It is through union members running and funding this dispute that we have had a great $3 million win at Coppabella.

“Everyone who receives the payment should take a moment to thank a union member. Even better, join the union. This win is another reminder that it pays to belong.”