UK COAL was today accused of blackmail after miners voted against strike action over pay.

National union leaders claimed their members would have voted overwhelmingly in favour if the company had not used bullying tactics in Selby to win the vote.

Officials of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said there was a yes vote for strike action at every colliery in England - apart from Selby where, crucially, miners represent a third of the union's membership.

Just over 43 per cent voted in favour, with almost 57 per cent against.

NUM chairman Ian Lavery said that UK Coal sent a letter to Selby miners' homes before the ballot, telling them that strike action could cost them thousands of pounds in redundancy pay when the complex closed next March.

The company said redundancy payments were based on earnings so any decision to strike would impact on these, and urged miners to put their families first.

Mr Lavery said: "UK Coal also warned Selby miners that a strike could close the complex earlier than planned, further reducing their earnings and redundancy pay.

"It was very intimidatory and obviously affected the ballot result."

The NUM, which was demanding a 25 per cent pay rise over three years, will now have to accept the 2.6 per cent on offer.

The union's national secretary, Steve Kemp, said: "If Selby had been taken out of the equation we're certain the overwhelming majority would be in favour.

"Selby mineworkers were blackmailed by being told it would affect severance pay and nobody can blame them.

"These men are facing serious time on the dole. It's disgraceful that UK Coal had to sink so low and use such tactics."

Riccall Mine NUM delegate Kevin Meloy said: "Without the letter, we would have won the vote. It's left a bad taste in the mouth."

UK Coal today denied the blackmail allegations, saying it was a vote for common sense.

Company spokesman Stuart Oliver said: "We have a responsibility to make our employees aware of the potential consequences of industrial action.

"That is what we did as the ballot got under way and we make no apologies for it.

"It is time for the NUM leadership to end the culture of confrontation and address the real issues impacting on the business."

The new pay deal also includes a cost of living pay increase over the next three years and improved weekend overtime rates and sick pay.

Updated: 12:40 Tuesday, June 24, 2003