Banter Goes too far: FWA backs Coal Miner Sackings

Two Coal Miners who were fired for sexual harassment and victimisation of a worker have failed in their appeal to Fair Work Australia.

 Austar Coal Mine sacked Nathan Rollason and Jonathon Rowland from its Cessnock mine in NSW on December 22 last year. A Strike took place by the Construction, Foresty, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) members of the mine over the dismissal. The Tribunal however marvelled at the sheer hypocrisy and arrogance of the arguments to defend the duo's behaviour.

Mr Rowland sought to pass the conduct off as good-natured banter, however the tribunal senior deputy president Anne Harrison preferred to refer to the conduct as a culture of harassment.

Click here to read the full article on theage.com.au and to read more about the pair's conduct.

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