Those lads down there they're fighting living on their ruddy strike pay and look at you lot!

The union's funds for strike pay were inadequate, and there was a great deal of hardship among the 2,800 workers.

Only drivers union members get no strike pay.

At first Talbot refused his strike pay, saying that he had not earned it.

Ultimately, the union declared that the strike was in recess, and cut off strike pay.

Further, the rules meant that any benefits paid to partners or dependents of striking miners were calculated as if strike pay was being received.

But surviving on a fraction of their regular pay - $7.14 a day in strike pay compared with $117 a day - was worse.

The strikers lost about $32,000 each in wages, because they received $300 a week in strike pay, down from the average weekly salary of $767.

"I'm not leaving this ship till I get my strike pay, mate," he said.

Lengthy walkouts by key staff such as call centre workers would be supported financially through strike pay, Serwotka added.