NSW: Workers dedicate day to trapped miners

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2006
NSW: Workers dedicate day to trapped miners

Eds: Embargoed until 0500 AEST on Friday, April 28



SYDNEY, April 28 AAP - Workers across NSW will today pause to pay their respects to
the miner killed and his two colleagues still missing in the Beaconsfield gold mine in
Tasmania.

Rescuers were last night frantically digging a new tunnel in a fresh bid to reach two
miners missing, after one of their mates was found dead.

But with the tunnelling expected to take up to three days, hopes were fading for the
two men unaccounted for after the miners were trapped by rock falls at the mine on Tuesday
night.

A vigil for the three will today be held during services in Sydney to mark the International
Day of Mourning in the Workplace.

Unions NSW had decided to dedicate the day to the Tasmanian miners, NSW president of
the Australian Workers Union (AWU) Mick Madden said.

"This is a reminder that even in the 21st century, workers face dangers just to make
a living," he said.

"The terrible accident in Tasmania is sadly not a one off.

"Hundreds of workplace deaths continue to occur in Australia - from accidents on building
sites and farm accidents, to the relentless scourge of asbestos-related illnesses."

AAP af/pe/de

KEYWORD: MINE VIGIL (EMBARGOED)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.