An Xstrata spokesperson told ILN the protected industrial action had each shift finishing about two hours early and he expected the rolling stoppages to end by the start of next week.

“They are currently conducting rolling strikes, in relation to the enterprise agreement negotiations we have got in place,” he said.

“We are disappointed by the action that they have decided to take and we are waiting for them to return to the table and we will continue to negotiate in good faith.”

The spokesperson said Xstrata’s priorities were to ensure the best arrangement for its employees but also the long-term viability of the operation.

CFMEU national vice-president Wayne McAndrew told ABC the union wanted a fair and reasonable agreement at Tahmoor that delivered decent wages and conditions.

More than 100 workers went on strike during enterprise agreement negotiations at Xstrata’s United longwall mine in September, even though the mine is due to close in March.

Tahmoor employs more than 300 workers but 158 were made redundant three months ago due to high production costs and lower coal prices, while 122 jobs were also cut from Xstrata’s Ulan mine.