Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is expressing its solidarity with over 800 miners currently engaged in industrial action after negotiations for their MECA (multi-employer contract agreement) have thus far failed to achieve their demands of a 5 - 5.5% pay rise.
“These miners have a difficult job, and the refusal of a decent pay increase by Solid Energy and mining contractors is nothing short of a disgrace” stated Frances Mountier, Save Happy Valley Coalition spokesperson. “Solid Energy are even refusing to negotiate alongside the contractors, in what appears to be an attempt to thwart the collective agreement.”
“The childish behaviour of Solid Energy in refusing to transport workers to the Spring Creek mine during hazardous weather conditions shows that their main interest is in maximising profit rather than creating safe working conditions. When CEO Don Elder earns over $670,000 a year, there is no excuse to deny the workers the pay rise they deserve”
“We extend our full solidarity and support to the miners in their struggle for decent pay and working conditions.”
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Re: Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
I wouldn't suggest standing on the picket line with them. I've been told you aren't welcome and that the workers told the union not to let you put this press release out.
Union spy.
Re: Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
Union Spy "suggests" not standing on the picket etc.
Well isn't this exactly what the boss would also want ?
The divide and conquor tactic has always worked to the employers advantage.
(On many occasions I have also seen union officials use the tactic to try and split militant workers off from their union brothers and sisters for their own bureacratic reasons).
Mining Workers like most workers would probably be well chuffed with any support on the picket line.
They will be even more chuffed if they believe that you are there for genuine reasons and are helping to get the word out about the strike and about the conditions under which they are forced to work and live.
It is precisely at this time that Happy Valley supporters SHOULD be on the picket - because it is prescisely at this time that workers have the same disgust for their boss that campaigners do, and have allowed it to come to the surface.
The job for activists is to translate this momentary common cause into a tactical unity.
That is not to say there will not be the possibility that some egghead might try to stir it up - but if tempers are held in check and people remember that solidarity and having a succesful picket are the order of the day then there is every chance that you will find the workers at least grudgingly accept the offer of support.
mi2cents
If the West Coast Miners and their officials are happy to sit down with Gerry Brownlie, Chris Achen..... and about 30 rosette wearing National Party supporters in the Blackball Miners Hall on May Day(2006)without incident then you could expect the same courtesy
Re: Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
For the record, anonymous number 2, SHVC was invited to the Blackball May Day forum this year too, to be part of a panel discussion. 4 SHVC'ers spoke and a number more were in the audience. Some really good discussion happened all weekend looking at our commonalities (and our differences).
Re: Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
shv people from auckland may be going down to support solid energy workers in huntly this weekend. will let you know what the workers think of that when they are asked it in person.
Re: Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
Thanx Anon. #3, I do remember that now that you mention it - How did that go by the way?
Cheers
#2
Re: Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
Here's my two cents:
Yay to supporting the striking mine workers but it would be good to support them without wearing 'save happy valley hats' because our campaign threatens their jobs too (in the short term). Let's not be like baby-kissing politicos before an election. Please be sincere about the workers' needs and wants. Talk to them about their needs and leave if they ask/tell you to, I reckon...
Em
SHVC Wgtn.
Sorry we can't do much in Wgtn as there are no pickets here, no mines or SE offices too thankfully.
Re: Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
The workers in Greymouth, who have initiated an indefinte strike, quite clearly said they'd knock happy valley hippies on their arse. The EPMU were quite supportive of the Happy Valley press release and thought it would get some good media attension. I seriously doubt the Huntly workers would care very much if Happy Valley people go there as there isn't the same connection obviously.
(BTW - the miners at Solid Energy earn a lot more money than most of us ever will.)
Union Spy.
Re: Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
im sure we have a shared enemy.... the bosses at solid energy!!!
Re: Save Happy Valley Coalition supports striking miners
i would assume they would be happy for support, but suspicious
eco guerilla