Work practices at mine 'Victorian'

The entrance of the Favona Mine. Photo / Richard Robinson

Waihi gold miners have accused their Australian employer of Victorian work practices by making them take their breaks underground during 11-hour shifts.

Their union claims the company insists they take two half-hour breaks where there are no toilets, no heating or cooking facilities, no running water and no suitable areas for taking the breaks.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) and HWE Mining are renegotiating a collective employment agreement for about half the 100 workers at the Favona Decline mine of Newmont Waihi Gold.

Union members are stopping work over two days each week as part of strike action during negotiations but are also defying the company by taking two half-hour breaks each shift at the surface.

"Previously the workers had agreed to take a one-hour break during their 11-hour shift as it allowed the company a reasonable amount of time to do blasting," said EPMU national secretary Andrew Little.

However, when no agreement could be reached on a new collective, the workers began to take two separate half-hour breaks but the company now insisted they be taken underground.

The union was arguing with the company over a decent settlement.

"HWE Mining should get on with fixing the dispute, not treating the members like mining companies used to treat workers in the 19th century," said Mr Little.

A spokesman for HWE, Adam Fitzhenry, said the practice of taking a one-hour break during a shift was a long-standing arrangement at Favona mine agreed to in previous negotiations.

The company was open to discussing the inclusion of a different break structure in the agreement, provided safety and operational efficiencies were maintained, Mr Fitzhenry said.

"This may include the provision of underground facilities that are common practice in the industry."

- NZPA