[4] Following the Second World War the Federation led the 1949 Australian coal strike, seeking a 35-hour week, a 30-shilling increase in wages, and the inclusion of long service leave as a normal condition of employment.
[5] While the union was unsuccessful in achieving all of their objectives, the strike did result in the institution of long service leave into the coal mine award.
[8] Throughout their tenure in the CFMEU the union strongly opposed the introduction of individual contracts, such as the controversial Australian workplace agreements, in favour of traditional collective bargaining.
In a ballot ordered by the Fair Work Commission, Mining and Energy Division members voted 98% in favour of withdrawing from the CFMMEU to form an independent registered organisation.
The owners of the mine, Nymboida Colliery Pty Ltd. declared bankruptcy, leaving the workers with little hope in receiving the approximately $70,000 of entitlements owed to them.
[15] On March 11 1975, at a conference in Brisbane, Nymboida Collieries Pty Ltd. officially agreed to transfer the lease of the mine to the Miners' Federation.
The NSW Government under Premier Neville Wran granted the Federation a lease in the rich Upper Hunter Coalfields adjoining the Wambo coal mine.
A royalty for each tonne of coal sold under the United Collieries lease is deposited in the trust, and millions of dollars have been awarded since it was established.