June 28, 2007

Coal miners start nationwide strike

More than 800 coal miners belonging to the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union have begun nationwide strike action in support of higher pay after negotiations over their multi-employer collective agreement broke down.

The industrial action will involve a nationwide overtime ban and a series of spontaneous rolling stoppages aimed at disrupting production at the eleven mines covered by the agreement.

The first stoppages began last night when miners at Solid Energy’s Spring Creek, Terrace and Stockton mines walked off the job for several hours.

EPMU Acting National Secretary Ged O’Connell says the miners are willing to fight for their fair share.

“These guys do hard and dirty work every day in an industry that’s making very healthy profits. All they want is a pay rise that reflects this, but the companies are refusing to budge.

“Our members have made it clear they’re willing to fight for their fair share, and it’s now up to the companies to come back to the table with an acceptable offer. Until that happens we have no option but to continue to apply pressure through industrial action.”

The Mining Industry MECA covers around 830 coal miners nationwide. Around a third of the miners are employed by Solid Energy.

ENDS

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