GOLD MINE TO BE IDLE ON MONDAY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 45, 16 November 1940, Page 8

GOLD MINE TO BE IDLE ON MONDAY

Engineers’ Dispute

INTERPRETATION OF NEW

AWARD

(Bv Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, November 15.

All work except essential power aud pumping services will be suspended at the Martha Gold Mining Company's mine and battery at Wtiihi on Monday, pending the outcome of a stopwork meeting, which the employees in the Engineers’ Union have called lor that day. The decision to suspend work was made when the union advised the company of its intention to hold a meeting, and" if the men are prepared to return, the mine will reopen on Tuesday. The dispute concerns the holiday clause in the recent award, which provides for 10 days' holiday on full pay for the operative section, including miners. The Engine Drivers’ Union alleges that the clause omits engineers, who are employed in the workshop and electrical department, and who include litters and blacksmiths. About 50 men are involved in the dispute. Mr. J. H. G. Banks, local director and attorney of the company, said the union was warned not to take any precipitate action. The company made an offer which was refused by the union that the clause) in dispute should be referred to the Arbitration Court for tin interpretation.

"In consequence of the union’s refusal of this offer, and its decision to hold a stop-work meeting on Monday, the company posted notices that mine operations, with the exception of essential services, would be suspended from 8 a.m. on Monday,” Mr. Banks added. “It was stated that the stopwork meeting might last all day, and, as the men concerned in the dispute are key men, it would not be possible to operate the mine and battery without them.”