CLAIMS OF MINERS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 57, 5 September 1945, Page 7

CLAIMS OF MINERS

AUSTRALIAN POSITION

SYDNEY, September 4. The miners' convention, meeting in Sydney, decided that there should be a departure from the use of the strike weapon, and that the miners should serve on the colliery proprietors claims to be covered by a national agreement extending over five years. It was claimed at the meeting that a long-term - agreement and the elimination "ofTstrikes 1" would assist materially in stabilising the industry by ensuring continuity of wages and, conditions and would pave the way to greater production. Delegates said that the plan would also develop a greater sense of responsibility among the miners. The claims which are to be served on the colliery proprietors include:--Fifty-two weeks' work and pay each, year, three weeks' annual leave and three weeks' sick pay; a 35-hour week of five days; adult rates of payment at 18 years; no stoppages other than on safety issues unless authorised by the central committee; payment for statutory holidays and appropriate shift rates. The convention again urged nationalisation, and urged as temporary measures that all State 'Governments take x>ver- the mines in eacli area. Yesterday nearly 7000 tons or coal was lost because of disputes at the mines, eight of which were idle. Because of the coal shortage, 703 employees of Australian Glass Manufacturers, Sydney, have received dismissal notices, and 1700 more employees will" receive their notices today. The secretary of the company said the dismissal of 2400 employees would mean the closing down of the works.