Not-so-subtle union busting angers miners
A few weeks ago I circulated a story I wrote for Asian Labour Update entitled “Union Busting in Aotearoa/NZ Becomes Subtle and Psychological”.

As if to prove me wrong, local coal exporter Solid Energy is taking a decidedly unsubtle approach to its workforce. It’s using the old trick of changing contractors to bash the union. All of the 100 workers have been made to reapply for their jobs. But only three of the 10-strong union executive have got job offers, meaning the other seven are effectively sacked.

State-owned enterprise Solid Energy descends from the old Mines Department. State Coal became Coal Corp and then Solid Energy. With each change of name it grew leaner, meaner, and more aggressively corporate in its behaviour.

Miners who once worked an eight-hour day, five days a week and were reasonably secure in their jobs, now do 12-hour shifts, four days on, four off, and are anything but secure.

Solid Energy has contracted out more and more of the stripping, mining, and rehabilitation work at its Sockton Mine near Westport. Each time contractors change, the workforce faces a struggle for their jobs, pay, and conditions.

Union president Dave Reece, who lost his job in this latest reshuffle, says Solid Energy is ultimately responsible. “They are the ones who pull the strings and dictate the terms to everybody,” he told the Westport News. Mine workers would be very reluctant about taking union executive roles in future he said. “If they see that the union can’t even protect their own, they will be reluctant to stick their head up,” he said. The new contractor has a “terrible record” as an employer. “Everywhere they’ve been there have been problems with their workforce,” says Reece.

Union secretary Hugh Tyler said both the contractor and Solid Energy had earlier told them 99 percent would be re-employed but it has proved wrong. Skilled mechanics with lots of experience have missed out on jobs while the company recruits from outside the district and overseas.