Miners Threaten Comprehensive Strike

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 183, 5 August 1938, Page 7

Miners Threaten Comprehensive Strike

WHOLE OF AUSTRALIA WOULD BE AFFECTED LIST OF CLAIMS TO BE PRESENTED Received Thursday, 11.45 p.m. SYDNEY, August, 4. It was ascertained to-mgnt that the Miners’ Convention intended within a few days to serve log claims on the iederal State Governments, also the Colliery Proprietors. The claims include a 30 hours five-day week witnout a reduction in pay, pensions for miners retired at 60 years of age, 14 days’ annual leave, and far-reaching safety measures. If the demands are not conceded to within two weeks from the date of the serving of the log, a general strike will be declared in Australia. Mass meetings of miners are to be held beforehand to sanction that course. Delegates claimed that the Trade Union movement and kindred unions throughout Australia were behind the miners. Mr. Charles Nelson, general president of the Miners’ Federation, addreesed the convention and declared the miners were determined to stage the most historic strike the industry had known. He and other officers dwelt at length on the hazards of coalmining and the appalling death roll since the mechisation of underground workings.