MINE WORKERS’ TRANSPORT

Grey River Argus, 3 June 1942, Page 7

MINE WORKERS’ TRANSPORT

During’ the past two years, in particular, constant inction has arisen between the mine workers, and the authorities of local coal mines over the question of transport o£ workers to and from the job. Stoppages of work have occurred with the intention of forcing the authorities to rectify the position to some extent.,

The mine workers want an adequate transport .service which will enable them to reach their homes within a reasonable time after ceasing work. Surely this is not an unreasonable demand!

Although arrangements have recently been made for an improvement in the transport service for men working at the Strongman and James mines, it was only done after a oneday stoppage of the men concerned.. There still seems to be no recognition by the authorities of the essential need to settle this question once and for all.

The transport of the hundreds of tons of coal daily produced by these workers apparently offers no difficulties; or is it that the transport of coal is considered to be of far more importance than the transport of the men who produce the coal ?

For the efficient working of the. mines,, the transport of coal and the transport,of the workers employed must be considered and dOalt with as one question. The location of the mines and the available residential areas for the men cannot be changed. Therefore, the only answer to the present difficulties is the provision of an adequate and efficient transport service.

‘ The •cost of workers’ transport must also receive consideration. While the State subsidises the transport provided, the men have also to pay a considerable amount out of their wages which amounts to as much as 13/- per pay for workers living a few miles a Way from the scene of their labours. We think it would be fairer if a larger proportion of this cost was transferred from the workers’ pockets to the industry itself.

It says much for the patience of the mine workers that more frequent and more serious trouble has not occurred over the question of better and cheaper transport. Let the authorities realise that the men are thoroughly exasperated at their attitude, and that minor concessions, grudgingly given, will not suffice io remove this source of friction and trouble. /