July 21, 2007
Media Release

Coal miners’ lockout ends

A lockout of more than 200 coal miners at Solid Energy’s Rotowaro mine by contractor HWE Mining has ended after union members unanimously accepted a revised offer from the company this morning.

The three-day lockout sparked a wave of strikes at Solid Energy mines nationwide, with Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union members at the Huntly East, Spring Creek, Terrace and New Vale mines all taking action in support of the Rotowaro miners.

EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little says the lockout was broken thanks to huge support from miners across the country.

“Our members at Rotowaro stood strong in the face of some extreme employer militancy, and they’ve managed to end the lockout and win the decent pay rise and improved conditions they were after.

“This was only achieved through the combined strength of miners from across the country working together for an industry-wide MECA and backing each other up when it was needed.

“With the exception of the Stockton mine, this settlement should resolve all outstanding industrial issues in the mining industry subject to ratification by members over the next week.”

HWE Mining is owned by Australian mining giant Leighton Contractors Pty.

ENDS

© Scoop Media