CALLED OFF

Grey River Argus, 7 June 1943, Page 6

CALLED OFF

U.S.A. COAL STRIKE

Till June 20

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] • LONDON, June 4. Mr John L. Lewis, president of the united mine workers of America, has instructed the strikers to return to work on Monday. Miners who had been released from the armed forces will be taken back into the Army if they refuse to return to work. In the House of Representatives a Bill was passed which provides that strike leaders shall be liable for lines and imprisonment, Union funds cannot be used to finance strikes. Invoking his powers as Commander in Chief, Mr Roosevelt had earlier ordered the 500,000 striking miners to return to work by next Monday, on the wages previously applying and with minor concessions as offered by the United States War Labour Board. The Secretary of the Interior (Mr Harold Ickes) has been directed to reopen the mines. The President’s order says that the dispute between the miners and the operators will be dealt with by the War Labour Board only after the men return fo work. Declaring that the strike was in defiance of the Government, the President said: “I must remind the miners that they are working for the Government on essential war work, and that it is their duty, no less than that of their sons and brohers in the armed forces, to fulfil their war duties.”

Mr Roosevelt did not specify how Mr Ickes was to reopen the mines, but it is recalled that when he gave him control over the strike-bound mines he also gave him authority to obtain Army protection. Meanwhile the operators and representatives of the United Mine Workers of America have resumed a joint wage conference, although both groups notified the War Labour Board that they would obey its order not to negotiate contract issues while production remains suspended.

The Governors of Tennessee and Alabama are preparing for the immediate induction of striking miners into the Army, after the refusal of local draft boards to induct any men. until the Government took adequate steps to meet the strike.

Mr Roosevelt and Mr J. F. Byrnes, Director of the United States Office of War Mobilisation, are working behind the scenes to end the American coal strike, but. the possibility of .action before to-morrow appears remote.

(Rec. 9.10) WASHINGTON, June 5. The United States United Mine Workers have called off the strike and have ordered all the hard and soft coal miners to return to work on Monday. Mr J. H. Lewis, Union leader, said .the miners placed the nation’s wartime interests above their own ungranted .and long-deferred claims for justice. There are half a million miners involved.

NEW YORK, June 6. The Associated Press Washington correspondent says: The United Mineworkers’ Associations order to the local unions to return to work on Monday applies only up to June 20. ad thus it apoears equivalent to another truce.

The notice sent'to the unions stated: i‘The National Policy Committee have unanimously authorised a return to work on June 7, to and including. June 20. This action has been taken to protect the union membership.”