Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union district president Andy Honeysett told ILN the mine’s workforce, about 235-240 people, had taken part in a 36-hour stoppage which started on Friday.

The 42-hour strike is expected to start at 2.30pm on May 13 and is considered protected action under federal industrial relations legislation.

Honeysett said a worker meeting on Saturday morning would consider future rolling stoppages and other action to limit production.

The union is primarily concerned with EA conditions relating to arbitration, security of employment and wage rates.

“We’re asking for a 10 per cent increase in the first year and they’re not offering anywhere near that,” Honeysett said.

The Swiss mining major slashed 122 jobs at Ulan and 158 from its Tahmoor operation, also in NSW, last year.

With enterprise agreements overdue for both mines, the CFMEU has been bargaining for conditions relating to security of employment for many months.

ILN is seeking comment from Xstrata on the industrial relations developments.