Solid Energy workers walk off job

Workers at Solid Energy's Spring Creek mine near Greymouth downed tools and walked off the job this morning.

Upset at a change of roster, union members voted to strike for 24 hours until 7am tomorrow.

Spring Creek manager Robin Hughes said union officials acknowledged the strike was illegal.

Management was looking to move some miners from 12-hour shifts to eight-hour shifts, five days a week.

"It is pretty minor stuff but the fact the men have gone home means there has been failure somewhere between management and workers."

- NZPA