CO-OP. COAL MINES

Grey River Argus, 18 August 1937, Page 5

CO-OP. COAL MINES

AGREEMENT REACHED On All Points An agreement on all clauses, providing for improved conditions and rates of wages, was reached in the Conciliation Court at Greymouth yesterday, between the Runanga District Coal Mine Employees’ Union and the Grey District Co-operative Coal Miners’ Union. Mr. S. Ritchie, Conciliation Commissioner, presided, and the assessors were Messrs D. Barnes, A. Houghton, T. Walker, and A. MeLagan (Employees) and Messrs J. F. Pattinson, R. Knight, and J. Duggan (Employers). The preliminary hearing of the dispute was held on July 12, and adjourned to allowed of discussions of the proposals by the parties. The agreement will come into force on Monday next, August 23, and will continue to exist until April 30, 1938.

The settlement consists of 21 clauses and, in addition to the clauses set out below in detail, makes provision for terms similar to those existing in other West Coast localities, covering payment of wages, men to do any work required, right of workers, wet time conditions, tools, managements, right to contract, and sharing of work (the work to be shared equally among employees in slack times).

The following schedule of wages was agreed upon:— (a) Underground workers. —Under 16, 12/6 a day; from 16 to 17, 15/-; 17 to 18, 18/-; 18 to 19, £l/0/6; over 19, 22/6. (b) Surface Workers.—Under 16. 10/3; from 16 to 17, 12/6; 17 to 18, 15/-; 18 to 19, 17/3; over 19, £l. (c) Adult workers employed temporarily on emergency outside work; such as clearing of slips or excavating, shall be paid not less than £1 per day.

id) The mines shall be worked on day wages. Workers at present receiving payment in excess of the rates herein provided shall not be paid a less amount unless by mutual agreement between the employer and the Union.

Workings in wet dips shall be paid at the rate of 25/- a shift. Hours worked on Saturdays shall be six hours, bank to bank. The following shall be Christmas holidays: From December 24 to January 4, both days inclusive. Other holidays shall be Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday; Anzac Day, Sovereign’s Birthday, Laoour Day, and May Day. Pay on Sundays is to be at the rate of time and a half, and all work on other holidays at double time. Overtime shall be payable at the rate ..tjf.time and a half for the first three hours and double time thereafter.

Workmen whp are householders shall have free coal, for their own domestic use only, from the mine at which they are employed—one load per month or when required.