Striking West Coast coal miners have set up a picket at the Stockton mine gate and are refusing to let anybody pass, after negotiations with the Stockton Alliance failed.
About 100 miners walked off the job at 5.30am, saying they planned to picket until their concerns were addressed.
On-site union delegate Barry Fischer said miners were upset about various issues at Stockton, north of Westport, but were also protesting in solidarity with workers from other Solid Energy mines.
Mr Fischer said although the picket was barring the gate, it had allowed some essential operators such as a lime-dosing crew through.
"This is a peaceful picket. We don't want any trouble," he said.
Mr Fischer said the wage talks between the alliance and employees had come to a stalemate.
Protesters had other concerns, including the new roster and health and safety at Stockton, he said.
The multi employer contract agreement (MECA) had still not been ratified despite expiring some months ago.
The deputy mine manager had visited the picket today. Stockton management were not happy but realised there were issues that need to be sorted out, Mr Fischer said.
The new alliance of Solid Energy and Australian company Downer EDI took over the mine operation at Stockton on October 3. Since the changeover there have been threats of a strike.
A week before the changeover, 70 jobs were cut from the mine, with some people being notified only the day before their contract ended.
A worker at the picket, who wanted to be known only as Lance, said people had put their livelihoods at risk to protest.
"These people (Downer EDI) have come to change the infrastructure and they've got very little to bloody offer us."
Lance said the workers were picketing for a fair day's pay for a fair day's work.
Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union representative Rob Egan said Huntly mine workers at Rotowaro began industrial action last week and were suspended.
On Friday, about 120 miners at Grey's Spring Creek mine on the West Coast protested for 24 hours in solidarity.
Solid Energy said about 780 employees at its mines were taking industrial action over the MECA.
Chief operating officer Barry Bragg suggested most had gone out in support of Rotowaro, but acknowledged there were other issues.
