TARATU COAL MINERS

Evening Star, Issue 16663, 20 February 1918, Page 3

TARATU COAL MINERS

Late yesterday afternoon the Concoliation Council, presided over by Mr "VV. H. Hagger, came to an agreement in regard to most of the matters in dispute between the proprietors of tho Taratu coal mine and the men therein employed. The employers' proposals with regard to balloting, cavilling, were agreed to, with some additions. In regard to the method of work, the employers' proposal was accepted. The clause dealing with shift hours, as proposed by the employers, was agreed to, with amendments. The clause referring to shift wages was referred to the Court. The employers' proposal with regard to size of boxes was accepted. The clause dealing with piece-work rates was referred to the court. The employers' proposals in respect to deficient places, wet places, and timbering were accepted by the miners. The clause referring to wages and conditions of employment for truckers was sent on to the Court. Provision was made for 12s per day for miners taken from the face. Tho wages of engine-drivers were increased from 10s to lis, and of firemen from 8s 6d to 9s 6d. Overtime was provided for—time and a-quarter during ordinary week-davs: time and a-half for Sundays and holidays! The following holidays will be observed : Christmas Day, Boxing Day, January 1 January 2, Labor Day, picnic dav, Good Friday, Easter Monday, birthday" of the reigning Sovereign. If any of these days should fall on a Sunday the following day to be observed. Provision was made for Saturday after pay-day being observed as an idle day. Clauses were inserted providing for tho rights of the workers and of the mine manager. The clause governing the machineworkers was agreed to. A general provision clause, imder-rate workers 'clause, preference clause, and a clause on "matters not provided for*' were agreed to with slight alterations, lne last-named clause provides that in the event of any trouble arising which is not provided for shall be arranged between the mine manager and the local committee of the union, and if they cannot come to an agreement the matter will be referred to the Conciliation Commissioner or _ a stipendiary magistrate, whose decision is .final. A war-bonus clause was agreed to, providing for a bonus of 17J T per cent, to piece-workers and 20 per cent, to men. in addition to the ordinary wa°-es? The term of the award is to be for°thrce years or until six months after the termination of the war with Germany and Austria, or either of them, whichever period shall first expire.