Aust. industry threatened

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33487, 19 March 1974, Page 13

Aust. industry threatened

• N.Z P A Reu-icr —i'opuriah’ SYDNEY . March IS. Industrial action h\ 10,000 coal- | miners and 400.000 metalworkers threatens to disrupt Xustralia’s

economy.

The miners imposed an overtime han today which is expected to reduce national steel production seriously, and to cut coal exports by between .30 and 50 per cent. The coalminers are seeking a sAust4o-a-week wage increase. The Coal Industry i Tribunal (Mr Justice Gallagher) today began hearing their claims, but the com-J bined mining unions have said that they will boycott! the proceedings Last year. New South Wales produced 38 million 1 tons of coal, and Queensland. 8.5 million tons. The metalworkers began at midnight a • 48-hour strike which may become a protracted dispute unless the Government heeds a call by the employers to intervene. The stoppage, threatening the worst industrial dispute in the metals industry for 20 years, will affect 15.000 factories throughout Australia, and cost about Sl6om in lost production. Workers in various parts of the country will hold stop-work meetings tomorrow to consider intensifying their campaign for a SAust3o---week wage increase.

I The director of th Association. Mr Ronald I'r said today that many en i plovers had reported th; Imost workers were willing t accept the wage offer mad by their companies, hut th; Left-wing union's were tryin to display their militancy. “1 he workers are entitle to decide if the sAustl2 offt is fair and reasonable, an the Government should us its resources to make a sec ret vote possible.’’

The unions are also seeking a 35-hour week, a fourth week qf annual leave, and payment by the employers of their medical insurance. The employers have offered the extra leave, a rise of sAustl2 in the present average weekly wage of sAust7B.so, and overtime pay of up to sAust3o. The Metal Trades Industry Association, which represents 6000 companies, has urged the Labour Government led by Mr Whitlam to force the unions to accept a secret ballot among the striking workers.