COAL MINE IDLE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 45, 21 August 1931, Page 9

COAL MINE IDLE

DISPUTE ABOUT WAGES

A COMPLETE STOPPAGE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, 20th. August,

A serious situation developed at Wilson Js collieriesj at Hikurangi this morniug when, owiiig to a dispute with the management concerning pay, 178 men, including all brandies of the mine staff, withdrew 'from' the mine and" removed their tools ana other belongings." As the mine has been lei't unattended there is grave danger that the workings will be flooded, aud that other nearby mines will be ..'affected. The miners are paid standard wages of 18s a day,, leas 10 per cent., provided that a satisfactory tonnage is produced. When the tonnage is less through no fault of tho men the company makes up the wages to standard rates.. . . Earlier in the week some of the men did not earn standard wages, but the company refused to : make up the amount, considering that in this case the miners involved should have earned their wages and. that it was through their own fault that they, did not do so.' ■ . . '. ■ ■.•■-. . , .'■.• Representatives of the mine union executive waited on the management yesterday, and contended that the cause of the reduced,, .tonnage was the diflV cult nature of the section at present beings worked.,. .'." '. .' .. .-; Owing to the refusal of the company to make up their earnings to'the standard wage all miners ceased work yesterday afternoon. . :. ■' ' '. ;. ■ A deputation .again waited on: the management this morning and ~ asked for a reconsideration of the former decision. The management's;standi was maintained, and at a general meeting of all-union. members it< was decided that all men-should.be withdrawn fr'oni the--mine. :■■■ : ... .•■,,'^-.:;. ':'',;. As this decision includes boiler firer men, pump : attendants, and. engine drivers, theniine ia: left in. a serious position. Unless the .punips aro, kept working the mine flood and', may jeopardise the safety,,of other; workings in the •vicinity. '■ ,! •'..■.',; v