MINING DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20100, 2 December 1930, Page 11

MINING DISPUTE

UNION'S DECISION. (rasas JlSSociatioh GREYMOUTSj December X. Mr A. McLagan, secretary of th« United Mine Workers' Union, to-night made the following statement regarding the Stockton Mine dispute: — "A general meeting of the Stockton Miners' Union yesterday condemned the action of Mr C. D. Betts, independent chairman, in the new shift dispute, in not giving a utraight-out decision in accordance with the terms of his appointment, and the union repudiated Mr Betts's so-called recommendation, "which he had no authority to make, and which carried not the slightest weight. At the eune time the union recognised the company's determination to enforce the new shift', which is contrary to the provisions «f the agreement, arid rather than expo so members to the effects of a longcontinued lockout, decided a small majority to work the new shift under protest. "'Die union calls attention to the company's breach of agreement drawn up last June and the arbitrary action , of the management in locking the men out because they refused to abandon their agreement, such action being regarded as an ironical commentary on the coal owners' alleged respect for the "sanctity of agreements."