Miners welcome Gretley convictions

The miners union, the CFMEU, has welcomed the convictions of 
the companies and individuals responsible for events that led to 
the tragic deaths of four coal mineworkers at the Gretley 
Colliery, in NSW's Hunter Valley, on November 14, 1996.

Mining Division General President Tony Maher described the 
convictions as "historic and long overdue".

"It is the first time in the 200-year history of the NSW coal 
industry that anyone has been convicted for the loss of life 
despite more than 3000 miners being killed in the State's coal 
mines, some in the biggest disasters in the history of 
Australia".

At the time of the disaster, Gretley was operated by Newcastle 
Wallsend and Oakbridge (now owned by Xstrata). Along with a 
number of individuals, the companies were charged with 52 safety 
breaches that led to the deaths of Edward Batterham, 48; John 
Hunter, 36; Mark Kaiser, 30; and Damon Murray, 19; who were 
killed when they struck an old working at the colliery which 
unleashed a wall of water that engulfed them.

Newcastle Wallsend and Oakbridge, along with the former mine 
manager, the manager at the time of the disaster and a surveyor, 
were convicted of 32 breaches of the State's Occupational Health 
and Safety Act. Sentences will be handed down at a later date.

Tony Maher welcomed the convictions as "a great relief for the 
families of the four miners who have had to endure a protracted 
seven-and-a-half year ordeal in their search for justice".

He said that the convictions should serve as a warning to all 
mining companies and individuals responsible for health and 
safety in the coal industry that they will now be held to 
account.

"For far too long companies and management have literally gotten 
away with murder. Today's convictions show that will no longer 
the case. Companies and management will be held to account for 
the health and safety of their employees and our union will 
continue to vigorously pursue those who endanger workers' lives", 
Mr Maher warned.