Union objects to Pike River lawyers

EPMU general secretary Andrew Little says it's improper for the company to be represented by lawyers in those interviews. Photo / APN

It's improper for the company to be represented by lawyers in those interviews.Andrew Little

EPMU general secretary The miners' union says Pike River Coal is insisting that its lawyers sit in on police and Department of Labour investigation interviews with staff about the mine tragedy that claimed 29 lives.

The union said that could be "contaminating" the process.

But Pike River said yesterday it was only making employees - many of whom had no prior contact with the police - aware of their legal rights.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, which represents miners, said yesterday the company's stance was causing conflict.

"Management is insisting on the right of company lawyers to sit in on interviews," general secretary Andrew Little said. "Their lawyers are sitting in on interviews with the Department of Labour and police.

"We have objected - it's a clear conflict of interest. Police are looking for criminal liability among workers or management, or both.

"It's improper for the company to be represented by lawyers in those interviews."

Mr Little also claimed Pike River Coal was briefing employees on the day they were to be interviewed, and that was contaminating the investigations.

But the company's chairman, John Dow, said it was up to individual employees whether lawyers sat in on the interviews.

The company was trying to ensure its staff got the appropriate advice on their rights and how the process worked.

"We are trying to find out what happened," he said. "Our only interest is getting to the bottom of it - what caused the explosion and making sure it won't happen again.

"We've said to our employees that if they are not happy having lawyers in the room, that's fine."

The company had said it would co-operate with the police, Department of Labour and coroner, and would make staff available for interviews.

Mr Little said the union was advising its members to ask that the lawyers not attend interviews.

Every time an employee had done so it had caused "major conflict".