WEST COAST MINES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17246, 12 January 1924, Page 6

WEST COAST MINES.

TERMS OF SETTLEMENT. P*n Press Association’. WELLINGTON, January 11. The following official statement was made to-day by Mr B. L. Hammond, assistant secretary to the New Zealand Employers* Federation:—* The settlement arrived at has been ratified by all parties concerned, and arrangements are being made for all mines to resume work on Monday next. The Arbitration Court award will continue to operate, but workers and employers will make immediate application to have the award amended so as to embody the terms of the settlement, which are as follow: — (1) Immediately after the resumption of work payment will be made by the Westport Coal Company and West-port-Stockton Coal Company of the difference between pillar rates and solid rates in all cases in which subsequent to the making of the present award the first splits have been driven through pillars which had been split prior to the making of the award. This clause shall also apply to Blackball and Paparoa mines. (2) It is agreed that the provision of clause 14 of the present award in reference to head coal in the Westport Coal Company’s and Westport-Stock-ton Company’s mines shall apply to headings as well as to all other places in the mine, payment to be retrospective to the commencement of the award. <3) The Westport-Stockton Coal Company from the date of resumption of work will pay one shilling per day increase on present award rates to outside electric locomotive drivers and brakesmen. (4) On the resumption of work the Westport-Stockton Coal Company will pav the amount in dispute for side coal. (5) In consideration of the special conditions in the Deep Creek section the Wetport Coal Company will pay one shilling per shift to all workers in that section, in addition to award rates. (6) In isolated or inconvenient places, that is where not more than one pair of men are trucking to the same fiat sheet, miners shall do their own trucking and run the jig below. For trucking they shall be paid the following rates:—From 22 to 44 yards three hours per shift, and thereafter one hour per shift per chain or portion of a chain, and, for running the jig below, the rates provided in the award. This clause shall be applicable where necessary to the top pair of men in a bank, heading. (7) The minimum wage as provided in clause 19 of the award shall be calculated on a weekly basis instead of a fortnightly basis, payment to be made fortnightly. (8) Each case of failure of one pair of men in a double shift place to make the minimum wage shall be dealt with cn its merits, and such pair of men shall be entitled to the same consideration in respect of minimum wage as if they were working in a single shift place, provided that a daily record shall be kept by underviewers and deputies of all substantial interruptions of the trucking or haulage system, and such records shall be accepted as final evidence in all cases on the question of whether or not the failure of any pair of men to make the minimum wage has not been due to want of trucks. It is agreed that if this clause should prove to be unsatisfactory after six months’ trial a further conference will be held to reconsider it. (9) For setting props over twelve feet m height one shilling per prop shall be paid. (10) Miners’ minimum wage shall be hs 6d per shift. (11) All daily wage rates under the present award shall be increased bv 7£ per cent. (12) Clause 12a of the Westland district coal miners’ award to be amended by increasing the late of 3d per ten per chain prescribed therein to 4*d per ton per chain. ( ? 3 \. for egoing provisions to be embodied m the present award as an amendment on the joint application of all the parties thereto.