For the second time in two weeks the miners walked off the job because of disputes over pay increases.

In a statement released to the Mudgee Guardian on Friday afternoon, Xstrata said they believed the proposed new Enterprise Agreement for Ulan was generous.

“Xstrata Coal is surprised and disappointed the CFMEU has again decided to go down the path of taking industrial action after the company made, at the request of the employees, a generous and reasonable ‘roll-over’ Enterprise Agreement for the Ulan operation,” a spokesperson said.

After the first 30-hour strike, Xstrata agreed to increase the base hourly rate by 11 cents per hour.

The union campaigning against the pay increase, United Mineworkers Federation of Australia, a division of the CFMEU, said the rise was not enough.

“Ulan is the only underground mine in this district and members here firmly believe they should be compensated for working underground,” Federation secretary Andy Honeysett said.

However Xstrata said the strikes were not going to resolve the matter.

“Industrial action is not in the long term interests of our employees or the Ulan operation and we believe negotiations between the CFMEU and Xstrata Coal have been constructive,” a spokesperson said.

“We gave employees an opportunity to hold a four hour paid meeting a fortnight ago which would have avoided interrupting the mine’s operation.

“Xstrata Coal continues to bargain in good faith and in the interests of resolving this matter.”