DOBSON MINE TROLLEYS

Grey River Argus, 28 June 1943, Page 2

DOBSON MINE TROLLEYS

Union Control ! A SHORT-LIVED ARRANGEMENT 1 At the request of the Grey Val- ' ley Miners’ Union, tne president (Mr . W. Purdy) has issued the following , statement: — “Dobson mine was not working on Saturday. The Union desires that • the facts be made known. “On Friday the management stat- ■ edthat. as a result of the conduct ot • the workmen, they had no control over the trolleys, which convey the ; workmen to their jobs, and that they (the management) would hand over the control of the trolleys to the Union'. 'The Union thereupon accepted control. This was on the day shift on Friday. “On the Friday back shift the management intimated that the Union would not be permitted to control the deputies. The Union then stated that they would have full control or none at all. “On Saturday morning the management intimated that they (the management) would be responsible for full control. A meeting was held in the bath-house on Saturday morning. The business was of a contentious nature and occupied one hour. The men agreed to • the management’s terms and were about to go down* the mine, agreeing that one hour, plus the bonus of one half hour, be deducted from their pay.” ■'The management then stated that this was not acceptable, and that onlv time and a-half for actual time worked would be paid. As Saturday is a seven-hour day, the decision of the management in effect meant | that for the loss of one hour, the workers \vouTd be docked three I hours. The Union appealed to the I management on the grounds of nai tionai need for coal to carry on and I dock onlv the time not worked. This was refused by the management. The miners thereupon went home. “In view of the urgent need for coal, the men feel that the attitude of the management is not in keeping with the appeal of the Government for co-operation.”