NEW COAL AGREEMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 July 1932, Page 2

NEW COAL AGREEMENT

AWAITING MEN'S ACCEPTANCE.

In conversation with a ‘Star reporter to-day, Mr W. Purdy, Secretary of the West Coast Miners Union, stated that he had yesterday received from Mr Bishop, Secretary of the Coal Owners’ Association, the proposed new agreement governing the work at the mines in this and the Buller district. The agreement is the outcome of a conference held at Westport recently between representatives of the employers, and of the employees. Mi Purdy stated that the terms and conditions of the agreement, would be placed before the men at meetings o be held during this week-end. is only one issue connected with the agreement, and that is its acceptance or rejection by the men. It been agreed between the parties that the new agreement operate as from Monday next, but in the event of a secret ballot being necessary, Mr Purdy has telegraphed to-day, to Mr Bishop, ashing that the owners put forward the date of operation of the agreement, for a few days. . • The parties concerned in the agree ment are: — . Employers: Brunner Collieries Dtd., Wellington; Grey Valley Collieries Ltd. Christchurch; Westport-Stockton Coal Coy., Ltd., Christchurch and Westport Coal Coy., Ltd., Dunedin. Workers: —Denniston Coal Miners Union; Grey Valley Collieries Coal Mine Workers’ Union; Millerton and Granity Coal Miners’ Union; Ngakawau Coal Miners’ Union; Westport Granity Coal Miners’ Union and the West Coast District Council of Miners' Unions. The following rates per ton (the figures for which represent the 10 per cent cut) will be paid for mining coal by hard labour: — A. —In solid workings: Coal—3ft and up to 3ft. Gins., 4/llid per ton; over 3ft. 6ins. rip to 4ft., 4/4£d; over 4ft. up to 4ft. 6ins., 3/6£d; over 4ft 6ins., up to sft., 3/lJd; over sft. 2/10Sd. Places in which the coal is less than 3ft. thick shall be classed as deficient places. In Wareatea Section, Cascade Mine, from head of main jig to working faces, 2d per ton shall be paid in addition to the above rates. . b. —in Pillar Workings: Coal—3ft. and up to 3ft. 6ins., 4/41d per ton; ever 3ft. Gins. and up to 4ft., 3/9; over 4ft. up to sft. 6ins., 2/9gd;’ over sft. 6ins. up to 6ft. 6ins. 2/7.H; over 6ft. Gins, up to 9 ft. 2/6; over 9ft., 2/43d. Places in which the coal is less than 3ft. thick shall be classed as deficient places. C.—Dobson Rates: Solid—3ft.,and up to 3ft. 6ins., 5/s|d; over 3ft. 6ins. and up to 4ft, over 4ft. and up tc 4ft. 6ins„ 4/OJd; over 4ft. 6ins and up to sft., 3/71d; over sft., Pillar workings—3ft. and up to 3ft. 6ins., 4/6id; over 3ft. 6ins and up to 4ft., 3/llid; over 4ft and up to sft 6ins 3/-; over sft. Gins, and up to 6ft. 6ins.. 2/91d; over 6ft. 6ins. and up to 9ft., 2/BJd; over 9ft., 2/7d. Machine Cut Coal.— (1) The hewing rate for machine cut coal to be 2/9Ad per ton. (2) The hewing rate for machine cut coal on cross cut dips to be increased by 3Jd per ton over the above rates, i.e., 2/9id plus 31d (Grade lins or greater.) (3) An air drill shall be provided by the Company and be operated by the miners themselves.