COAL MINERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12015, 18 December 1924, Page 7

COAL MINERS

NEW AGREEMENT AWAITING SIGNATURE. The seoreitary of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation (Mr T. O: Bishop) informed a “Times” represenitative yesterday that the agreement which had 'been reached regarding the conditions of employment at tho West Coast mines ivas .now awaiting the signature of tho parties. It is expected that the whole matter will be fixed ttp before the holidays. The agreement does not involve very considerable changes, and is practically based on the terms of the last award. The large majority of thfe clauses remain -unaltered. There are certain provisions in. regard to the vexed question of trucking, which should find favour with the miners. Previously the miners have -bad to do a considerable amount of trucking themselves, but the present agreement to a large extent does away with that necessity. An increase of Is per day is provided for men continuously on night shift. There is also a minor alteration in tho clause dealing with the disputes committee. Previously there was a provision that the matter might be referred to amagistrate, but the new clause is as follow : “Failing an agreement being reached by this central committee the members thereof shall appoint a chairman, Who shall have a vote and a majority decision of the committee so constituted 1 shall' be final, andi binding. ” The now agreement is to remain in force from the" commencement of the first pay period after ratification until April 30th, 1926.