Background A recent development in many industries,' including the mining industry,
has been ever increasing acceptance and adoption of extended (12-hour)
shifts and compressed work cycles compensated by more time off work
by employees between cycles. In the Western Australian mining industry development of
`long-distance-commute' (LDC) coincided with adoption of 12-hour
rotating shifts. Preludes to LDC were the `construction-style' rosters with two crews
plus allowance for annual and sick leave relievers working the statutory
13 consecutive shifts followed by one shift off. Crews rotated day to night
shift weekly or at fortnightly intervals. Average hours of 72 to 78 per
week were common. The author had personal experience working these
rosters in the East Pilbara of Western Australia from 1977 to 1982.
Workers tolerated these rosters until a suitable combination of frustration,
boredom, despair and the `Five Grand Fever' triggered them to `pull the
pin' and head for relaxation in Bangkok, Manila, Nimbin, or Margaret
River according to their personal tastes.