Miners’ dispute resolved

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33493, 26 March 1974, Page 10

Miners’ dispute resolved

The dispute which idled, the Strongman and Liverpool State mines for two days last week has been resolved.

The miners went back to work yesterday, while union officials and management had discussions which continued into the afternoon. The national secretary of the United Mineworkers (Mr M. J. Bassick, of Huntly) said after the meeting that the miners had agreed to draw up a list of their customs, a move which the Under Secretary of Mines (Mr I. Dick) had approved, and which would be accepted by the management. It is believed that a breach of one of the long-standing 'customs had led to the dispute. For many s years, offi-

cials of the Runanga State Miners’ Union had been allowed to leave the mine half an hour early on one day a week to undertake union business. Recently they had allegedly been “docked” in their pay when doing this. "All the members of the United Mineworkers’ Union, including those in this district, are looking for good relations between the management and unions,” said Mr Bassick.

“We will be doing our bit in co-operation. Coal is in demand, and already time has been lost which is no good for the industry or for New he said. '