Labour’s Plan For Coal Industry

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 208, 2 September 1944, Page 5

Labour’s Plan For Coal Industry

Received Saturday, 12.50 a.m. SYDNEY, Sept. 1. A* conference representing the Australian Council of Trade Unions and all unions actively engaged in the production of coal to-day expressed the opinion that the following measures should be implemented in an endeavour to retrieve the unsatisfactory position which has operated in the coal industry in the last few months: Firstly, that the trade union movement as a whole should endeavour to seek satisfaction for the real issues that have caused dissatisfaction amongst the miners; secondly, that the miners should meet their responsibilities to other trade unionists by ensuring that sufficient coal will be won and refrain from unnecessary stoppages; thirdly, that the mining industry should be re-equipped as far as possible to meet war requirements and to improve tbe industry from a technical point of view; fourthly, that action should be taken immediately to make a survey of the coal miners’ position in society with a view to the miners being afforded a better status in tbe community with a happier postwar life, better housing facilities and improved social amenities. The meeting of Sydney gas workers decided to authorise a continuance of the strike of 70 transport drivers and garage attendants. No action was taken in regard to the move for a general strike of all workers with the exceptoin of 70 ordered to return to work.