IN HANDS OF MINERS

Chronicle (Levin), 25 May 1946, Page 4

IN HANDS OF MINERS

-Press Association

DISMISSED ABSENTEE MUST BE ' TAKEN BACR

By ~ Telegrayh-

INVERCARGILL, May 24. Coal deliveries have been restricted by the Linton Coal Oonxpany to txvo bags each order. Tlie supply position is stated to be serious, the reasOn given being short working hours and absenteeisxn. The mine was idle both shifts on" Monday and Wednesday of this week, the cause of the stoppage on Wednesday being the dismissal of a worker who had been absent without excuse for 20 days since the mine re-. opened in Jannary. "As a result of the man's dismissal the remainder refused to work on Wednesday," stated the manager of the company, Mr. M. Faliey. "At a conference called by the company at which the attexidance of the employment MfEicer wTas requested, union oificials stated they had been instrueted to demand the reinstatement of the dismissecl man. In spite of strong protest by the company, the eniploynient oflS.cer withdrewT permission to terminate his employment and informed the company the man must be retained. The result of the action of the employment offieer hes been to show the miners they have notliing to fear by absenting tliemselves whenever they thinlc fit," said Mr. Fahey. "A mine manager is therefore in a position of being unable to exercise any control or autliority whatever "as far as the attendance of miners is concerned and so long as these. con.ditions obtain, the public must realise thejr are entirely in the hands of the miners and that no effeetive action can be hoped for from tlie department. ' '