Miners win victory through solidarity

Solid Energy miners at the company's four largest mines went back to work on Tuesday following the acceptance of an offer at Huntly East which had shift clawbacks removed.

The acceptance of the offer brings strike action to an end after more than a month and means workers at the four mines will receive a pay increase of five percent and a one off payment of $2000 as well as better conditions.

EPMU assistant national secretary Ged O'Connell says the key to getting the deal was national solidarity.

"Throughout the dispute Solid tried to set miners from different areas against each other by offering them different deals within the MECA but our members stood by each other and made sure that the company knew an injury to one was an injury to all."

"It's been a robust series of negotiations but we've got a deal now that members could accept," says O'Connell, "and now we're sure they'll be happy to be getting on with the job."

"We still have to negotiate the smaller contractors in to the MECA and tidy up a few details but the heavy lifting has been done and it's been done by a membership united in their strength and determination to get a fair deal."

Strike action began on the 29th of October.