A PLANNED seven-day stoppage at the Rix's Creek open-cut mine near Singleton was called off yesterday, the union and company have confirmed.
The CFMEU and the Bloomfield Group have each lodged disputes in the Fair Work Commission as the two sides negotiate a mine-site new enterprise agreement.
After a seven-day stoppage that ended on Sunday night, the 200-strong workforce was preparing to strike again from midnight on Sunday night.
Mine sources said union members had planned a lawful "picket" and that management intended using about 30 contract workers to continue coal production.
The union said it would use the time to resolve outstanding issues.
"We have called off the planned seven-day stoppage at Rix's Creek in good faith, hoping to use the time to resolve outstanding issues in enterprise agreement negotiations," CFMEU Mining and Energy northern district president Peter Jordan said.
"Our members remain determined to pursue a fair deal, especially when it comes to the issue of fair leave entitlements for shift workers. We hope progress towards this end can be made within the next seven days."
The union said it would use the time to resolve outstanding issues.
A Bloomfield spokesperson said "we continue to work in good faith and we look forward to finalising the negotiations with an outcome that is fair and mutually beneficial".
