The Council of Trade Unions has expressed its shock and sadness at the news of the second explosion at Pike River Mine and the likelihood that none of the 29 trapped miners has survived.

CTU president Helen Kelly said: “This is a dreadful event and one which nobody should have to endure in these times. Everyone has the right to go to work in the expectation of coming home safe and well at the end of the day”.

Through the week-long drama, staff and students at Tai Poutini polytechnic have been providing meals to rescuers and families. Some of the trapped men are graduates of the institution’s mining programmes. Many TEU members around the West Coast have family and other connections to the missing miners.

TEU has been offering what little support it can through the miners’ union, the EPMU.  TEU national president Dr Tom Ryan, incoming national president  Dr Sandra Grey, national secretary Sharn Riggs, and Tai Poutini Polytechnic TEU co-branch president Simon Dixon wrote to the EPMU earlier this week to send a special message of support and strength to all involved, and their families.

Thanks to Philip Capper at Flickr for the photo