Suspended miners hopeful of a deal

The 170 miners suspended at Solid Energy's Huntly East and Rotowaro mines in Waikato have been told there are positive signs of a deal.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) national secretary Andrew Little said Solid Energy had given some "reasonably positive signals" last night that the company may shift its position in pay talks.

Union officials were to hold a conference call with the workers' negotiating team about noon today.

More than 100 staff at the Henry Walker Eltin-operated Rotowaro mine near Huntly and about 70 at Huntly East were suspended after some refused to load coal.
Another 35 at a West Coast, South Island, mine were also suspended.

Mr Little said although workers were losing pay, there was a desire to hold out for a good settlement.

"There's a very, very high level of frustration which is driving the...desire to get a fix before they go back to work."

The miners want a 5 per cent pay rise for this year and next year.

- nzpa