CONCILIATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 16

CONCILIATION BOARD.

COAL MINERS' DISPUTE.

The adjourned sitting of the Conciliation Board for the purpose of receiving the recommendations come to in connection with the industrial dispute between the Coal Miners' Union of Otago and the mine owners at Green Island took place at the Supreme Court on Friday morning. All the members of the board were present — viz., Messrs F. R. Chapman (chairman), G. P. Farquhar, G. L. Sise, R. Ferguson, and J. A. Millar, M.H.R.

Mr G. Smith represented the men, and the proprietors were represented by Messrs J. Loudon (Jubilee mine), R. Hill (Freeman's mine), D. L. Christie (Christie Bros.), A. Harris (Harris and Sons), James Gray (Fernhill Coal Compam), and A. Howorth (Walton Park Company). The Chairman read the recommendations, ■which were as follows : —

That the parties to the said dispute enter into an industrial agreement for a term of one year and 10 months, from the Ist day of February, 1900, such agreement to contain the following provisions : —

1. Balloting every three months. All places to be balloted for. Headings and levels to be balloted for specially. General ballot to take place afterwards. Names of those thrown out of the special ballot to be put in the general one. One maoi to ballot for his place in the' same manner as two or more men would ballot for one place. First man out of a place to be put into the first place vacant or to start. Provided that the mine manager may withdraw a man, if during the three months he thinks it necessary for the safety of the place, in order to put a more competent man in hit place.

2. The following hewing rates shall be paid : — (1) Round coal, lid per box; (2) small coal (ljin riddle), 9d per box; (3) small coal (lin riddle), 7d per box; (4) triping, 6cl per box; (5) dross, 4d per box.

3. Pillars, when taken back in the solid, Id per box les3 than the above rates; otherwise th 3 above rates on shift wages at the option of the employer shall be paid. 4. Four boxes of existing sizes in use at each mine shall constitute a ton.

5. For narrow places yardage at the following rates to be paid in addition to the above torn; age rates — viz.: Headings, 6-7 ft, 4s; levels, 6-7 ft, 3s 3d; levels, 7-9 ft, 2s 6d; stentons, per yard, 2s 6d.

6. All coal hewing to be done on piece rates except in deficient places, provided that the mine manager may enter into any arrangement which he thinks proper with the men for the working of deficient places by piecework at such advances upon the prices herein jaentioned for piecework of a like charcater, but not deficient, as may be agreed on, between the mine manager and the Mine Committee. This clause is not to prevent the overseer and lads employed in trucking being allowed to work in their spare time hewing coal or doing other work.

7. Deficient places are places less than 7ft high or 6ft wide, ox- -with, stone in them, soft, faulty places, and extremely hard places. These are to be paid for at shift wages. 8. Shift wages shall be 9s per day. 9. Wet places to be paid for at shift wages for six-hour shifts.

10. Eight hours at a face to constitute a day's work.-

11. Boxes to be regulated throughout the mine so that each man gets his share, provided the man can take his turn.

12. If a miner be - taken from the face to do any work in connection with the mine (whether outside or in) shift wages to be paid him.

13. Trucking distances from the face not to exceed four chains; beyond that to be paid for at Id per box for every chain or part of a chain.

14. Tools to be sharpened by the employers free of cost to the workmen, or all requisites For sharpening to be provided and facilities given for sharpening. 15. Truckers, horse-drivers, and rope attendants' wages to be as follows: — For men over 19 years of age, not less than 7s per day; for lads or boys under 19, not less than 5s per day; but a special wage less than the abovementioned wage may be fixed for any trucker by p-greement between the mine manager and the Mine Committee.

16. Any timbering work required to be done shall be paid for at shift wages. 17. No employer shall in employing labour discriminate against members of [.he union, and no employer shall in the engagement or dismissal of his journeymen, or in the conduct of his business, do anything for the purpose of injuring the society, whether directly or indirectly. Members and non-members shall, when employed together, at all times work in harmony with one another.

18. Anything not provided for herein shall be referred to the manager and a mine committee of the employees in the mine; in case of difference the matter to be referred to the chairman of the board, whose decision shall be final.

The Chairman said the board would give the parties a suitable time for the consideration of this recommendation. The question was what time would suit them to meet again to hear how the recommendations were viewed by those concerned. Mr Smith said any time would suit him: he would be prepared to give his reply on the following morning.

Mr Loudon thought that some days would be needed, as all the pnrtips ni^Wi^i ,V, VP ~o not present, and a meeting would have t* be called. He thought it would be better to adjourn for a week, or a little less.

The Chairman said that Friday next would be a convenient day for the board, if that would suit the parties. After consultation, this suggestion was accepted, and the proceedings were accordingly adjourned until Friday, the Zv.d of February.