The Selby mines will finally close in the Spring

UK Coal wants to move 240 Selby miners to its site at Kellingley, which is a few miles away.

The Selby pit complex is set to close in the Spring and most workers have been told they will be made redundant.

But talks between managers and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) broke down when the union refused to discuss flexible working arrangements.

'Common sense'

Existing workers at Kellingley are unhappy with proposed changes to their working practices to accommodate the new staff.

Managers want to increase the colliery's operating hours from 95 to 145 a week.

NUM members reacted by voting for an overtime ban, which starts on Wednesday.

UK Coal spokesman Stuart Oliver said: "What we are trying to do is create more jobs for more miners at Kellingley Colliery.

"What we need to see is some common sense and then we can move these men - all expert miners from Selby - to Kellingley."

Working terms

NUM spokesman Steve Kemp said that allowing Selby miners to keep their current working conditions after the move would create tension at Kellingley.

He told BBC Radio York: "The real reason UK Coal are doing this is to set miner against miner and there is no need for that at all.

"They know and we know they can transfer the Selby miners to Kellingley without any changes to terms and conditions [at Kellingley]."

Mr Kemp confirmed that industrial action planned at Kellingley will go ahead.

The Selby complex, which opened in the 1980s, includes three deep coal mines.

UK Coal has decided to close it because of geological problems.