NEWCASTLE COAL STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 41, 17 February 1910, Page 5

NEWCASTLE COAL STRIKE.

THE MEN'S DEMANDS. AN ALL-ROUND ADVANCE. (Received 9.30 ajn.) SYDNEY, this day. The main claims submitted to the Vvages Board on behalf of the Colliery Employees' Federation are that the selling price of coal shall regulate the wages in all seams in Newcastle and Maitland districts. Thus when the selling price is 9/ the hewing rate will be 3/10; with every 1/ rise in price there shall be 4d advance in the hewing rate. The claims also involve proportionate advances on tops, bottoms and yardage rates, that it -mil be optional for miners to do shift work, that the minimum standard height of a seam be 5 feet, a penny per ton per inch to be paid for every inch below that in addition to the hewing rate; that nignt shiftmen be paid sixpence a ton additional to the ordinary hewing rate, that only one shift shall be worked for the purpose of drawing coal in twentvtour hours, that eight hours (from bankto bank) constitute a working day for all employees, that all coal failing to pass through a three-quarter inch mesh be paid for as round coal. The men also deuand extra pay for wet places, and a change in regard to filling dirt involving an advance. HITCH IN NEGOTIATIONS. SYDNEY, February 16. When the Wages Board met at Newcastle this afternoon, it was learned that a batch had occurred in the negotiations for a settlement. Mr. Charlton, MLA who is engaged in formulating the miners s claims, said he had hoped to have arranged to have them ready by Monday, but he had not had time to complete the task. He asked the Board to adjourn till next Wednesday. He trusted to have the men back that day. It is feared a serious obstacle has arisen in connection with Judge Scholes' and Mr. Charlton's efforts to bring the masters and men together.