Mining company stuck in the 19th century

Mining company stuck in the 19th century

HWE Mining Pty Ltd wants gold miners working at Newmont Waihi Gold's Favona Decline mine to endure nineteenth century working conditions by remaining underground during 11.5 hour shifts with no access to hygiene facilities, says the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU).

“Previously the workers had agreed to take a one hour break during their 11.5 hour shift as it allowed the company a reasonable amount of time to do blasting,” says EPMU national secretary Andrew Little.

“When no agreement could be reached on a new collective the workers decided to exercise their right to take two separate half hour breaks and the company is now insisting these breaks be taken underground where there are no toilets, no heating or cooking facilities, no running water and no suitable areas for taking the breaks,” he says.

"The members are currently in dispute with the company over a decent settlement to their claims and because the company has declared its intention to pass on any pay rise to the small number of non-union workers on the site.”

“HWE Mining Pty Ltd should get on with fixing the dispute, not treating the members like mining companies used to treat workers in the nineteenth century,” he says.

“As it is our members will be ignoring the company instruction, which is obviously unreasonable, and will be taking their breaks at the surface.”

The current strike action at Newmont Waihi Gold's Favona Decline underground gold mine involves 55 miners in the EPMU stopping work over two days each week.

The EPMU represents 1200 workers in coal and gold mining in New Zealand.

ENDS

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