U.S. MINERS STRIKING FOR FIFTEEN-DOLLAR DAILY WAGE

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1949, Page 5

U.S. MINERS STRIKING FOR FIFTEEN-DOLLAR DAILY WAGE

With 7-Hour-Day And Welfare Fund (Rec 9.10) WASHINGTON, Oct 5. The U.S. Government to-day summoned the coal o.wners and union leaders to come to Washington on Friday for a conference on the coal strike, which has continued for 17 aays.

Meantime, Mr John L. Lewis, the president of the United Mineworkers Union, has negotiated with Southern coal; owners at Bluefield, in West Virginia. Mr Lewis, for the first time, made specific demands. He is reported to have sought a 95 cents, per day increase, to bring the rate to 15 dollars a day. He also demanded a half-hour reduction in the present seven and a half hour day. He also asked for a 10 per cent, increase in the owners’ 20 per cent, royalty payments to the miners’ welfare, fund.