Mines employees all dismissed

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33062, 1 November 1972, Page 17

Mines employees all dismissed

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

SYDNEY, October 31. The N.S.W. Minister for Mines, Mr W. Fife, said today that he was shocked and surprised that R. W. Miller and Company had taken such drastic action in dismissing all its mines employees.

He said that the dismissals had followed a directive from the Joint Coal Board that the company peg production from its open-cast mines.

“The board did this because it did not want opencut operations to develop to the detriment of underground operations, at a time when supply is outstripping demand,” Mr Fife said. "I was advised soon after arriving in Sydney this morning that R. W. Miller had issued dismissal notices to some 350 employees. “Immediately I was informed, I got in touch with the general manager of the company, Mr A. Taylor, and asked to meet him today. However, this was not possible ”

A meeting had then been arranged for tomorrow morning.

“I was surprised the company felt it had to take such drastic action at this time, and without consulting me first.

“I will explore the possibility tomorrow morning of the dismissal notices being withdrawn and inquire under what conditions Mr Taylor will withdraw these notices.” Mr Fife said. He said that he was extremely concerned at the R. W. Miller action.

“I had no indication at all of this happening, but I knew that the Joint Coal

Board was giving consideration to limiting the production from open-cast mines in the state.

"This is not new. This policy has been implemented under successive ministers of mines.

“It’s a procedure adopted to protect the viability of underground mines, which are the greater employing body.”