AUSTRALIAN MINERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 1 July 1939, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN MINERS

DISSATISFACTION OVER NEW AWARD FOUR PITS IDLE UP A. -By Elect no rHcgiaph-Copyrightl SYDNEY, 30th June. The Federal Arbitration Court, under Judge Drake-Brockman, to-day awarded an eight-hour day and five-day week in the coal-mining industry. This means a reduction of about four hours weekly in the average working week. The Judge refused the union’s claim for a minimum wage, but granted ten days annual holiday on full pay. He blamed the mine owners for uneconomic working of the mines, so producing a deplorable number of unemployed. while the absence of unity among the coal-owners had resulted in industrial exploitation of the surplus export trade and cut-throat competition. General disappointment prevails among the coal miners with the new award and resulted in 2000 northern miners throwing four main pits idle to-day. The unions are endeavouring to induce the men to return to work on Monday, pending investigation into the position It is expected that the price of coal will be increased two or three shillings a ton when the award becomes operative on 16th August.