COAL SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 90, 11 January 1924, Page 8

COAL SETTLEMENT

HOW THE VOTING WENT WORK IN FULL SWING NEXT WEEK The coal miners at Westport lesumed' work yesterday. Following ;i/re the of th® voting on the question cf ratifica-

Terms of Settlement, The terms of settlement (says the “Grey River Argus”) include the following: — . An increase in the rates of tno wages men (including the Court’s increase) of 11 per cent. . . Increase of miners’ minimum wage to 17s. 6d. per shift. On the matter of isolated places, there has been a compromise on the question of trucking, for which the employers agree to pay a substantial increase in the rates. On the general question of trucking by the miners, there has also been ft compromise. Trucking is to continue to be done by miners in a certain degree, but there is to be a substantial increase in the rates paid therefor. On ilio question of payment for putting in props, the miners have been successful in their demand for payment. The pillar rates question has been settled to the men’s satisfaction, and the new arrangement is made to apply to both Blackball and Roa mines as well as to the Buller. As regards the wages for shift workers. the increases secured bring up the rates to such a point that they vary in particular grades from Id. to 3d."per day below the rates that ruled under the late national agreement These increases are spread over all classes of day labour, from shift men to bins boys. Summing up tho position, the “Argus” states that) although the miners have had! to compromise on some points, they have on the whole wen some substantial advantages.

WORK RESUMED AT WESTPORT CO.’S MINES By Telegraph—Press Association. Westport, January 10. The Westport CoaJ Company’s Millerton mine resumed working to-day, and ?the company’s Denniston mine begins work to-morrow WAY CLEAR FOR RESUMPTION By Telegraph—Press Association. Creymouth, January 10. Following tfie ratification by the unions of the agreement reached on Saturday last at the conference at Reefton, there remaining a few unsettled minor points at the Denniston and Roa mines. A final settlement was effected at Denniston on "■.'ednesday. while after several conferences the disputed points at Koa were settled to-day. The position, therefore, i» now that the way is clear for an early resumption of at tho five mines affected by the stoppage. Indications are that a resumption generally will take place on Monday. Numerous miners have been away from the coalfields and these have been advised to return in time for resumption next week.

Hie miners’ West Coast Council will meet at' Westport on Saturday to clear up any final business preparatory to resumption.

tion: — Denniston • •«• < For. Against. 126 3 £18 4 38 2,9 J'Jgctw 88 45 XSltLUJkiJUi-L 0 16 Totals (47a 97