THE COAL DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 247, 6 July 1918, Page 8

THE COAL DISPUTE

»_: OFFER BY THE EMPLOYERS BONUS IF FULL TIME WORKED INCREASED PAYMENTS FOR TRUCKERS The New Zealand Coal-mino Owners' .Association sat in Wellington on Wednesday and Thursday of this week to consider a request made by the Miners' Federation for an increase in the wages of coal-miners. The result of the association's deliberations is shown in the following letter, which has been handed to the Minister of J] hies (the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonnld) :— Wellington, July 4, 1918. Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald,' Minister of Mines, Wellington. Sir,—ln connection with the proposed conference regarding: "line workers' wages, I hnvo to advise that a meeting of the iNew Zealand Coal-mine Owners' Association has been held during yesterday and to-day in Wellington. I am instructed to convey to you herein for your information several resolutions passed at the meeting, and some comments thereupon. I have to advise also that each of the resolutions has been parsed unanimously by the meeting, which was representative of the whole of the coal-mining companies operating.in New Zealand. Conference with Miners' Federation. That as agreements have been entered into between individual coalmine owners and individual miners' unions, this association is of opinion that consideration of any question of varying terms of any agreements should only bo made between the contracting parties. 'Therefore the request .for a conference between the Coal-mine Owners' Association nud the Aimers' federation is unnecessary. :.■ The above is fully explanatory, and all that is necessary tor mo to say is that existing agreements having been entered into with the individual unions in question, any alterations should only be discussed between the respective coal-min-ing companies- and the unions with which such agreements were made. Proposal to Increase Rates of Pay. The following is the resolution adopted in this connection:— That as existing industrial agreements made under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Acts havo only been recently entered into between miners' unions and the respective mining companies, and have still a considerable period of currency, and as there are no justifiable grounds for any further increase in wages, in view of the fact that the earnings of coal-mine workers who work lull available time compare more than favourably with those of ■ other classes of workers, the coalmine owners cannot see their, way to agree to vary the terms of existing agreements. As contract workers in mines are earning very high wages indeed, ranging from 17s. to 21s. and 255. per. day, and as day wages men are earning rates j which compare favourably with workers | in other industries.in the Dominion, the ; association is of the opinion that the demands for increases arc not justified by existing circumstances, and cannot therefore see its way to consider any alterations in agreements in this respect. Kecognising that it is essential that the output ol coal in New Zealand should db increased in order to meet current requirements, '.he association feels it incumbent upon it to make a proposal which it is hoped will be effective in that direction. f Mums which have been received from various mining companies, but which , time has not permitted to secure from all over the Dominion, indicate that approximately 10 par cent, of the available working tiine.in,mines ia not worked. by mine employees. The time lost owing to unavoidable reasons, such as sickness, accidents, etc., has not been taken into account, so that on present evidence it would appear that 10 tier cent, moro work could be done by mining employees if they cared to do it. If workers, therefore, would perforin the work that is available 'or them, (ho output of the 1 mines would be very considerably increased, and would aid materially in removing the difficulties which are being experienced owing to the present coal shortage. In order to encourage more constant attendance at work on the part of niino employees, the association suggests that a sysl'em of payment by bonus to those who work full'time should be adopted. In that connection the following resolution has been passed:— That 'this meeting approves the adoption of a bonus system dependent upon full time bi'ing worked. Contract Trucking. The following resolution, was passed in connection with this matter:— That in the opinion of the coalmine owners the earnings of truckurs can- be considerably increased under a system of contract trucking, ami that coal-mine owners are prepared to make equitable arrangements for the introduction of the contract system. Kcpreseutations made by yourself and others to the effect time truckers on wages were not paid proportionately to miners, were caremily considered by the meeting, and alter considerable discussion it was decided that a system ot truckiug by contract should, if possible, be adopted throughout the mines of the Dominion. Tho mining companies are prepared to enter into contracts which will materially increase the earnings of truckers, and thus remove any complaint as to tho rates of w being received. The system is in operation in several coal-mines in the Dominion, and in each case wages ranging from 16s. to 20s. per shift are being earned. General. The association submits the above suggestions re bonus system and contract trucking in the coiuidciit belief that if these systems are given a fair trial they will result in a largely increased output of coal, and in an increase of the earnings of the workers, and would prevent any passible cause tor grievance existing in tho coal-mines of the Dominion so far as tho earning power of workers is concerned. I am further instructed to respectfully ask that if the Government approves of the above proposals regarding tne operation of the bonus system and tho adoption of trucking by contract, and is of the opinion they would ha\;e the effects indicated above, that strong representations should ba made to Ihe members of the coal-miners' unions throughout tho Dominion and their patriotism appealed to with the view of securing the assistance of workers to increase tho output of coal. . If the Government will assist in this way and the workers will give, loyal help my association is very earnestly of tho opihion that it will havo the desired results and should ensure the conlinuanco of industrial peace in the coal-mines of tho Dominion for tho period of the war. I have tho honour to be, Sir, Yours obediently, (Sgd.) WILLIAM I'ltYOK, Sec.