HUNTLY COLLIERIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 31 January 1936, Page 3

HUNTLY COLLIERIES

MINERS REFUSE TO WORK SAFER CONDITIONS DEMANDED [By Telegraph—Press Association] HAMILTON, 30th January. Four of five collieries in the Huntly coalfields are idle to-day as the result of .the decision of more, than 1000 miners to refuse work until safer conditions governing tlie use of machinery in tlie MacDonald Aline are broughtinto- effect. The action is the culmination of nine months’ work under protest by the employees of the MacDonald* Aline at Glen Afton, and it was stated to-day that in view of the grave danger to the ■ workers a united stand would he taken by all miners to secure improved conditions. Some nine months ago the AlacDonald Company installed machines for extracting coal in pillar workings. Competent miners were of the opinion that, owing to the lack of supports, there was a very real danger of a major subsidence, and, although the company offered an increase of 3d per ton to the miners, they worked after the installation of the new equipment only under protest. It is understood that the mine management expressed the opinion at this time that the danger was exaggerated, and the use of the machines continued.

The equipment, which weighs about five tons, consists essentially of an elec-trically-driven pick, which is concentrated on the base of the pillars, causing their eventual collapse. It is claimed that the creep, which is the signal of an approaching collapse, cannot be heard while the machine is operating. To-day a meeting of 300 miners by a big majority decided not to resume work until the position at the AlacDonald Aline is rectified.