STATE MINERS.

Grey River Argus, 23 February 1927, Page 3

STATE MINERS.

FURTHER EFFORT TO-DAY To Settle Dispute. The State Alines were idle yesterday consequent upon the dispute between the miners and the management over the latter’s refusal to pay the men for an hour during which they were on February 10 last prevented from remaining in the Middle Brake Section of the Liverpool Aline, by the acc.i dental stoppage of the ventilation apparatus. Tlie Union had on Alonday decided that work should not proceed, until such time as the men’s right to payment for the hour in question had been recognised. It has been apparent that what the Union and the management are mainly concerned about is not so much the amount, at stake, but the prim-iple involved, the management being apparently of the opinion that to 1 allow the claim would create a new precedent, whilst the Union holds that in such circumstances, the miners being prevented from working through no

fault of their own, their time should be paid for. The miners leave home everv morning for work before 7 o’clock and they do not get back home again before 5.30, so that they devote ten

and a half hours of their time each working day to the job; and when they are obliged in the interests of safety through ventilation defects suddenly oc'curring, to leave a pit abounding in dangerous gas, they fail to sc? the justice of paying them nothing for the time they lose in such a manner. It is also pointed out that the salaried of ficinls and other employees engaged at the mines are not subject to having their pay docked in such a way, conn what may in the nature of interrup--1 ions to 'heir work. MINE MANAGER’S VIEW The Superintendent of the State mine, Mr I. A. James, said yesterday that he was on his return journey from lluntly when the fan stopped, and he first heard of the trouble on Alonday morning, when the men refused to enter the mine. He said that when the fan at the Liverpool Colliery broke down, the mmi were out of the mine for practically two hours, but were only docked one hour’s pay. It was not unusual for men in some sections of a colliery to be compelled to knock off owing to breakdowns. When this occurred they were paid for the time worked only. Air James contended that to acknow ledge the men’s present claim would establisii a precedent and that the/ would thereafter demand payment for anv time lost owing to breakdowns. The claipi might not appear to be a great one, but it would have a far-reaching effect, not only at the State Mines, but at all other mines. UNION MEETING. Yesterday at 4 p.m., at the Aliners’ Hall, Ruranga, there was a largely atte. led meeting of the State Aliners Uiii.zh, over which the Pr?sideiit, Mi Connel. presided. The position was reviewed by members, and it was ulti mately decided to make a fresh effort next day to procure a quick settlement by sending a fresh deputation to the Superintendent of State Aimes, Mr 1. A. It was reported at the me‘ting by the Secrjtary, Mr E. AlcAlavey. that the I’nion had sent to the Alines De partment a telegram requesting that payment for the hour in dispute should Le made. T'he Departmental replv had been a refusal to comply. The Unior had sent the Department a further tele gram am! was then awaiting a reply. The following members were elected •I> the deputation to wait upon the •tupori nt endent at 10 o’clock this morn.|,o; Messrs Connel (Priasid.-ntU Alc\lavey (Secretary), Doehe- tv, Englisl, Moore, and Healey, with the addition of two n >re memliers representing the men ot the Top Mine.

'1 he position, therefore, is that thcminrrs wiiJ not be woarking to-day. and there will probably be a meeting of the Union this afternoon.