More Stockton mine jobs on the line

Solid Energy is threatening to cut more Stockton mine jobs. Photo / NZPA

Solid Energy is threatening to cut more Stockton mine jobs if workers don't vote for a shift roster which was supposed to finish at the end of this month, says a mineworker.

The company says that's incorrect and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union says it's unaware of any threats.

The mineworker, who declined to be identified, said he was speaking on behalf of many of his workmates. They wanted to go back on the old roster of 12-hour days, seven days on, seven off, he said.

Solid Energy had introduced an 'emergency roster' - of eight-and-a-half-hour days, five days on, two days off - in June. It was supposed to finish in three months.

Mine manager Michael Harrison has now told workers that if they don't vote to continue the emergency roster, the coal handling processing plant would close for up to two weeks and there would be more redundancies at the mine workshops, the man said.

"Everyone was adamant they were going to vote for seven on, seven off, but now he's turned everyone against everyone ? they want their jobs."

The coal processing plant and the workshop each employed about 17.

The man, who has worked at Stockton for more than a decade, said Mr Harrison had asked workers for their ideas on rosters, but had taken no notice of what they suggested.

They preferred to work 12-hour days, seven on seven off, or five on five off, because it gave them more time with their families.

"This is what Harrison first put to us when he started here - that you get more time with your families."

Morale at the mine, which was already low, was now lower, the man said.

The workers had already lost between $2 and $3 an hour from their wages over the last few years.

"Everything we've done for them [Solid Energy], to try and help the mine out as well? and they won't try and help us out with this [rosters]," he said.

Solid Energy communications officer Bryn Somerville denied there had been threats of more job losses or plant closure if workers didn't vote for the emergency roster.

Mr Somerville said Solid Energy had introduced the roster because it was more efficient and cost effective.

"We think it's likely the available alternative shifts in the agreement are not as efficient."

The international coking coal market had continued to deteriorate, making efficiencies even more important, Mr Somerville said.

The international coking coal price hit a new, 11-year low today of US$80.40/tonne, down US$1.35/ tonne on the previous record, set in July.

Solid Energy receives more than the spot price for its Stockton coal, but the price sets the trend for future contracts.

Mr Somerville said Solid Energy was looking forward to the result of workers' votes this Friday and next Monday on whether the roster should be retained.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union West Coast organiser, Garth Elliott, said he was unaware of Mr Harrison threatening more job losses or plant closure at Stockton.

"It's a long, convoluted situation, to be quite honest, and we're trying to sort it out with the company.

"As far as job cuts go anything is likely at this stage, at any part of Solid Energy - not just Stockton."

Mr Elliott said Solid Energy could not continue the emergency roster beyond next Monday unless workers agreed. Workers themselves were split over whether it should stay.

"That's what the problem is? Everyone has their own individual feelings up there."

- Westport News