RAND MINING

Evening Star, Issue 18054, 23 August 1922, Page 6

RAND MINING

CONCILIATION IN DISPUTES. Press’ Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. CAPE TOWN, August 22. (Received August 23, at 11.50 a.m.) Johannesburg reports that the conciliation scheme, agreed' to by conferenpe of employers ami employees, and adopted by the Mining Industry Board today, provides that no strike or lock-out shall take place until the procedure laid down_ has been completely carried out. There is to be no compulsion on employees to join trade unions. Complaints by employees will lie first dealt 1 with by the officials immediately concerned, then by the mine manager ; and if no settlement is reached the employees may call in a trade union official; but no manager is a’equil'ed to discuss with a third party questions fixing contracts, engagements, suspension, discharges, promotion, or disrating of employees. On these matters tho manager’s decision is final. In tho case of a dispute between the manager with more than ten employees, tho directors shall be appealed to, and afterwards a Conciliation Board. Matters affecting tho industry generally are dealt rvitli between the Gold Producers’ Committee, the Chamber of Mines, and the trade unions, with appeal to a. Conciliation Board. This board is to consist of twelve members, half of them appointed by the Gold Producers’ Committee, and half to be elected by the employees. Members are to bo elected for ten years, and the chairman is to be chosen alternatively by both sides for a period of six months. Alterations in working conditions shall not tak©_ place until thirty days’ notice has been given. Tt is reported that the trade unionists are not enthusiastic about the scheme, but arc prepared to gir'e it a fair trial.—A. and N.Z. Gable.