4 Nov 2009

Coal miners strike over contract dispute

3:28 pm on 4 November 2009

The union for striking coal miners says it is looking for ways to restart negotiations with state-owned coal company Solid Energy.

About 780 miners are taking industrial action at mines in Waikato and on the West Coast of the South Island, after contract negotiations broke down.

Almost 200 miners went on strike at Rotowaro open cast mine in Waikato last week, and Solid Energy says miners at other sites are striking in support of their colleagues.

The company says it has asked miners to return to work so contract negotiations can resume.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) says the situation is at a standoff, but it is talking about how to get the parties back to the negotiating table.

The EPMU says workers are frustrated by the lack of progress after five months of negotiations.

It says workers at the Huntly East Underground and Huntly opencast mines are striking over compensation for roster changes and redundancy issues.

Spokesperson Ray Urquhart says members at the Spring Creek and Stockton mines are mainly taking action to support their northern colleagues.