Miners mull pay offer

Workers at three Solid Energy mines will today consider the company's latest settlement offer as their month-long strike continues.

The dispute has seen more than 1000 Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) members walk off the job since October in their push for better pay.

EPMU spokesman Rob Egan said 120 miners and support staff at Solid Energy's Huntly East mine would consider a new offer at 1pm today after rejecting an 8.5 percent pay rise last week.

About 730 workers at the company's West Coast mines at Stockton and Spring Creek would also vote on a new offer at 6pm today.

Meanwhile, 900 workers remain on strike at the Rotowaro, Huntly East and Stockton mines.

The 180 Rotowaro workers have already accepted an offer but are continuing their strike in support of workers at the nearby Huntly East mine.

EPMU negotiators are pushing for a 13.5 percent pay increase for the Huntly workers, who last week rejected an offer which would see their base pay rate increase from $78,832 to $85,600.

Solid Energy has offered unionised employees New Zealand-wide a 2 percent increase in the first year and 3 percent in the second, as well as a lump sum of about $2000 in recognition of large profits.

- NZPA