HWE Mining, which operates Solid’s Rotowaro open cast mine, together with the union, is negotiating with Solid for a new multi-employer collective agreement.

Solid chief executive Barry Bragg said the company was motivated to resume talks and was asking the union to lift the current industrial action.

“We want to get back to the bargaining table with the union, but we can’t bargain in good faith when there is ongoing industrial action. We’re disappointed that while the union says it wants to resume talks, it won’t lift the industrial action. We’re at an impasse.”

About 780 employees working at Solid’s coal mines are taking industrial action.

About 180 HWE Mining employees at Rotowaro began industrial action early last week following a breakdown in talks.

About 100 miners at Solid’s Huntly East underground mine took industrial action on October 28 in support of their Rotowaro colleagues.

On Tuesday this week, 500 workers at Solid’s Stockton open cast mine joined the industrial action.