The change is expected to happen from October 22.

Currently rosters for many George Fisher workers were four day rotations, although a Mount Isa spokesperson said this roster was not the same for all miners. 

George Fisher general manager Chris McCleave said the changes focused on improving safety and productivity. 

It would also make planning and management of operations easier. 

“We believe these changes will provide significant benefits to our people,” he said. 

“These include more weekends off to spend with family and friends and greater opportunity to participate in sport and other community based activities that typically take place on weekends.” 

Mount Isa Mines zinc operations are consulting with the workforce to decide between two types of rosters. 

One option would be for miners to be on day shift for seven days, take a break for a week, then return for seven days on night shift. 

This would be more preferable to the company but it would depend on the vote of employees taken between September 24 and 25.

The other option would be for miners to work four day shifts and three night shifts. 

After six weeks it would swap to four night shifts and three day shifts.