COAL STRIKE AGREEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20346, 30 November 1929, Page 15

COAL STRIKE AGREEMENT

REDUCTION! IN WAGES ACCEPTED GREAT RELIEF IN NEW SOUTK WALES Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, November 29. The coal dispute on the northern fields has at last been settled, and an agreement, which provides for a reduction of wages, the right of owners to dismiss any employee, and. assurances by the miners for the prevention of petty stoppages, was adopted by the miners’ delegates at a conference with the owners which concluded to-day. This agreement is to be submitted to meetings of miners on the northern fields for ratification, but it is regarded as practically certain that they will do so. The announcement of the settlement has caused tremendous relief throughout New South Wales, as it was thought that the Government’s proposal to open the Rothbury colliery would have precipitated a general strike and complete dislocation, of the Christmas trade. The feeling is also prevalent that the Government’s threat actually forced the miners’ hands.

To-day’s agreement, which will become operative on December 9, provides for a reduction of all contract wages by 12£ per cent, and 6d per ton from the wages of day labour employees at the collieries concerned.

The owners, on their part, agreed to submit figures to a committee of employees showing that the reductions mentioned represent fid ’ a ton on the average over the whole of the collieries concerned.

The miners have undertaken not to restrict the output of coal.

REDUCTION IN PRICE OF COAL.

SYDNEY, November 30. (Received November 30, at 10.20 a.m.)

If the rank and file accept the terms of the coal agreement it will mean that coal for interstate and export trade will be reduced os per ton, made as follows Federal Government, Is; the State, 2s; the owners, Is 3d; and tho miners, fid.

The stoppage has lasted nearly nine months, and has represented a loss ot £2,000,000 in wages to 10,000 miners who are idle on the northern fields.