North Auckland Mining Agreement

Northern Advocate, 9 August 1938, Page 6

North Auckland Mining Agreement

On Saturday, August 6th, 1936. at Whangarei, under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. 1925, and its amendments, a dispute was heard under the presidency of Mr R. E. Price, Conciliation Commissioner, of Auckland. The applicant was the North Auckland Coal Miners’ Industrial Union of Workers, and the respondents were the Waro Coal Mines, Ltd., Hikurangi; Kamo Collieries, Ltd., and Whangarei Collieries, Ruatangata. An agreement on lines similar to those recently brought into force throughout the Dominion was reached. The agreement is for the period to April 30. 1940. and covers all coalmining north of Auckland. The union was represented by Messrs. McLagen, of Brunnerton, National Secretary United Mine Works of New Zealand; C. Latham (secretary), D. Cochrane and A. Frew, of the local union. The president of the union. Mr J. McDonald, was also

present. Assessors representing the coal mine owners were Messrs. L. J. Stevens, P, Hunter. W. H. Reed and J. Makinson. Messrs. A. G. Lunn. J A. Gentles and J Maple were also in attendance. The principal demands which the owners conceded were as follows; — One paid holiday in every 20 days worked, up to a maximum of 30 days in the year; increases in hewing rates and wages, together with improved conditions for the men. It is estimated that the concessions will increase the present cost of production by approximately 1/- per ton of coal.