July 18, 2007
Media Release

Huntly East miners strike in support of locked out workers

Coal miners at the Huntly East mine have walked off the job for 48 hours in support of 200 miners at the nearby Rotowaro mine who were locked out last night by Solid Energy contractor Henry Walker Elton.

The Huntly East stoppage began at 7am this morning and involves one hundred Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union members.

EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little says members won’t stand for HWE’s employer aggression.

“This strike sends a strong message to HWE and Leighton that our members understand an injury to one is an injury to all. Coal miners have stood together for more than a hundred years and they’re not about to stop now.

“HWE needs to withdraw its lockout and come back to the table so we can work out a deal, as we already have with Solid Energy and six of its other contractors.”

Miners at Solid Energy's Stockton mine are continuing with an overtime ban against mining contractor Doug Hood Ltd, which is also refusing to settle.

Henry Walker Elton is owned by Australian mining giant Leighton Mining Ltd.

ENDS

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