AN INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENT

Otago Witness, Issue 3869, 8 May 1928, Page 9

AN INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENT

COAL MINERS AND SEAMEN. MINERS REQUEST INCREASED WAGES. - . WELLINGTON, April 30. Following a meeting between representa. tives of the United Aline Workers of New Zealand and the New Zealand Seamen’s Union, an agreement.setting out the course of action to be followed in the event of industrial trouble has been drawn up. The compact is of such a nature that it would have far-reaching effects in the event of either, body being engaged in an in dustrial tight with the employers. The principal provisions of the agreement are the following ;—(1) The seamen are to refuse to carry coal should the miners be engaged in a fight, and are to give financial support if necessary : (2) the miners are to refuse to produce coal for “ scab ” ships if the seamen are engaged in a fight, and are to give financial support if.necessary ; (3) before either union takes action which may involve’ the other, the other union is to be consulted; (4) these proposals are to be submitted to the rank and file of both unions for endorsement. Both parties to the compact are seeding new agreements With the employers. Claims for increases in ..pay and for improved conditions ef employment were recently advanced by the seamen, and the miners have now followed suit. Members of the National Council of the Miners’ Union niet recently in Wellington, and it was then decided to make the following claims upon the mine owners (to cover all districts): —7| per cent, increase in wage l rates, 5 per cent, increase in tonnage and yardage rates, and 5; per cent, increase in : timber rates. . i . It is claimed that there should be a weekly minimum of £4 12s 6d for all adult workers, youths to be paid in proportion. Ten days’ holiday for - all workers with a service of one year or more is suggested, and there are other claims covering details of mining work.