Coal Dispute in New Zealand Again Grows Tense

Coal talks between New Zealand’s Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) and Solid Energy broke down last week, and workers began renewed industrial action at three worksites by refusing to load coal trains. State-run Solid Energy responded by suspending workers without pay. By 10 June, EPMU workers were back on jobsites and further bargaining is scheduled for next week between the union, Solid Energy and five of its contractors. EPMU compromised its wage demands from 6% to 5% in line with the union’s national “Fair Share—Five in ‘05” campaign, but the coal company has only offered 2.8% in bargaining.