Union pays tribute to official killed in road accident

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union today paid tribute to a staff member killed in a road accident on the West Coast.

Tim Hix died in Grey Base Hospital today after being cut from the wreckage of a car that crashed down a bank and into a creek near Jacksons, east of Greymouth. He was on his way to represent coal miners in negotiations with Solid Energy.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said that Mr Hix was a talented organiser and committed unionist whose loss would be felt deeply through the union movement.

“Tim’s death is a tragedy for his family, for the EPMU and for working people – particularly miners,” Mr Little said.

Thirty-seven-year-old Mr Hix grew up on the West Coast and became a miner at the age of 16. He rose through union ranks to become chairman of the Mining Council, and in 1999 became a full-time organiser for the EPMU.

Although officially based in Christchurch, Mr Hix continued to spend much of his time on the West Coast, working with miners. Last week he led workers from the Strongman and Spring Creek underground mines in a 55-hour strike for better wages.

Mr Hix leaves behind his wife, Kim, and sons Troy (10) and Sam (seven).

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