COAL MINES AGREEMENT

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 26

COAL MINES AGREEMENT

IMPORTANT NEW PROVISIONS. WELLINGTON, March 1. In the agreement just concluded between the Coal Mine Owners' Association of New Zealand and the Miners' Federation the following important provisions appear:— Minimum Wage.—Miners working on tonnage rates who shall be unable, through no fault' of their own, to earn an average of 12s per shift for each fortnightly period shall bo paid such amount as may be necessary to bring up their earnings to such an average. In the event ot a. dispute arising in connection with this clause the same thall be decided between the manager and the local union.

Wet Places. —Conditions regarding work in wet places and payment therefor to remain as provided in existing agreements at each mine "Wet" shall mean a place where the worker has to work in more than three inches of water, or when the miner is wet through water dripping upon him from the. roof. Should any difference arise as to what constitutes a wet place the same shall be decided by the manager of tha mine and check inspectors appointed by the union. Should they fail to agree they shall appoint an umpire whose decision shall be final and binding on both sides. Rates of Pay.—Employees working on piecework to bo granted an increase in wages of 50 per cent, on the pre-war rates paid at the respective mines. Employees working on day wages to be granted an increase of 60 per cent, on pre-war rates paid at the respective mines. The pre-war rate of day wages for truckers to be deemed to be, for West Coast mines, the rates set out in the agreements at the respective mines; for mines in the northern districts the rate to be 10s 6d per day; for mines in southern districts the rate to be, far inexperienced truckers, for first 14 days

10s per day; for experienced truckers 10s 6d per day. It is an express condition that the above bonuses are to be granted to day and piece-workers upon pre-war rates except in the case "of shiftmen, who shall be paid a flat rate (without bonus) of 18s per shift, and that neither rates of pay nor bonuses shall be amended during the term of this agreement. All rates of pay carrying the bonus shall be converted into flat rates. In calculating the fiat rates, rates for day wages men shall be taken to the nearest penny, and tonnage rates to the nearest farthing. Hours of Work.—The hours of work remain as provided for in existing agreements at each mine. Sundays and Holidays.—Christmas and New Year holidays from December 24 to January 4 inclusive; Easter holidays as per existing agreements; others holidays as per existing agreements. If any agreement holiday falls on a Sunday or pay Saturday another day shall be substituted therefor by agreement between the management and the union. Men employed on work regularly done on Sundays shall be paid at ths rate of time and a-half. For all other work on Sundays and agreement holidays double time shall be paid. Overtime. —Overtime shall be paid for at the rate of time and a-half for the first three hours and double time thereafter. The following provision is made for settling future disputes. Disputes Committee (a) any dispute which cannot be settled by the executive of the union and the management of the particular mine concerned shall be immediately referred to the District Disputes. Com.nittee. (b) The District Disputes Committee shall consist of three representatives appointed by each side, and shall deal with any matter which has not been settled by inean9 provided in clause (a) hereof. Failing settlement of' any dispute by the District Disputes Committee it shall be referred forthwith to the National Disputes Committee. (o) The National Disputes Committee shall consist of three representatives appointed by the coal mine owners and three representatives appointed by the New Zealand Miners' Federation, and shall deal with such matters as are referred to it bv District Disputes Committees, (d) Either party shall have the right to appeal to the National Disputes Committee from the decision of any District Disputes Committee. (e) The decision of the National Disputes Committee shall be final and binding on all parties to any dispute, (f) The District or National Disputes Committees may. if they consider it necessarv, appoint a chairman, and in the eventof "both sides agreeing to refer the dispute to him for settlement his decision shall be final and binding on both parties. It is agreed by both parties to the above proposals that no strike, lock-out, or "goslow," or unnecessary stoppage of work shall take place in any mine until the matter or matters in dispute have been dealt with as provided for above, and that any decision, of the National Disputes Committee shall be loyally accepted by those concerned. It is also agreed that nothing in any of the above provisions shall be-construed' as to in any way interfere with or curtail the rights of coal mine managers or officials in their full and proper control of the work ing of coal mines, nor shall anything be done to interfere -with the recognised functions of local unions. ~'.'•'• The above conditions shall remain in operation for 12 months from the ratification thereof by all parties, and may thereafter be reviewed and dealt with by the said parties as may bo decided upon.