IDLE WILTON MINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22673, 10 March 1937, Page 14

IDLE WILTON MINE

NO WORK YESTERDAY UNION SECRETARY'S CLAIMS [fhom our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Tuesday With the exception of a gang of men engaged in the task of repairing a tunnel, miners employed in the Wilton colliery at Glen Massey passed their second day in idleness to-day. It was reported this afternoon that there was 110 change in the position and it was unlikely that work would be resumed before Monday.

Because the union declined to allow men to perform this repair work as overtime, the decision was made by the management of Wilton Collieries, Limited, to suspend work for the rest of the week. It is explained that the job could be undertaken only when the mine is idle.

The circumstances leading to the dispute were traced by Mr. 11. Alker, secretary of the Te Akatea Miners' Union of Glen Massey, to-day. He claimed that the dispute had arisen over the introduction of the 40-hour week and the overtime agreements. The management, he alleged, did not seek the union's permission for the men to work overtime in repairing the damage and, instead, the miners were approached individually with the assurance that the union would bo consulted. "The union realises that emergency work has to be done and it is not endeavouring to prevent it, but we do want recognition from the mine owners. It is a matter of policy that we should," Mr. Alker said. "Arising out of a recent dispute, when our signed agreement 'was not recognised, wo lhave threatened to summons the manager if recognition of the union is not accorded the miners."