4 November 2009

Industrial Action at Solid Energy Mines

Mediated talks in Hamilton today between Solid Energy, HWE Mining Ltd and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union have failed to reach an agreement for all sides to resume negotiations for a new Multi-Employer Collective Agreement (MECA).

Barry Bragg, Solid Energy’s Chief Operating Officer, says that Solid Energy is motivated to resume talks and is asking the union to lift the current industrial action. “We want to get back to the bargaining table with the union, but we can’t bargain in good faith when there is ongoing industrial action. We’re disappointed that while the union says it wants to resume talks, it won’t lift the industrial action. We’re at an impasse.”

About 780 employees working at Solid Energy coal mines are taking industrial action. About 180 HWE Mining Ltd employees working at Solid Energy’s Rotowaro Opencast Mine in the Waikato began industrial action early last week following a breakdown in talks. HWE Mining operates the mine for Solid Energy.

About 100 miners at Solid Energy’s Huntly East Underground Mine, also in the Waikato, took industrial action last Wednesday (28 October) in support of their Rotowaro colleagues. Yesterday, 500 workers at Solid Energy’s Stockton Opencast Mine employed by the Stockton Alliance (a partnership between Solid Energy and Downer EDI Mining) joined the industrial action.2

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