U.S. MINERS’ STRIKE FOR PENSIONS

Grey River Argus, 1 April 1948, Page 8

U.S. MINERS’ STRIKE FOR PENSIONS

WASHINGTON, March 30. Forced by a Federal Court oraer to testify, the United Mineworkers' president, Mr John L. Lewis, told tne Presidential /Fact-finding Board today that, he did not inspire the 16-day-old soft-coal strike. Towards the end of Mr Lewis’s testimony, the chairman of the Presidential Board. Mr Sherman Minton asked if it was not a fact that the nation’s coal supplies had been interrupted as the direct result of a letter which Mr Lewis sent to union members on March 12 concerning ms demand for a pension of 100 dollars monthly for every miner 60 or oiaer with 20 years’ service. Mr Lewis replied that the letter was a much over-due report on the pension fund under the union’s contract. He claimed in it that the employers had dishonoured the contract by refusing to agree on a pension plan. Mr Minton asked if there were any other communications.

Mr Lewis answered: “Not from my office.” He added: ‘Tf you are trying to show by your questions that my letter inspired any action by the United Mine workers you are entirely in error.” ‘ Mr Lewis denied emphatically that the pension scheme was uneconomic. The board adjourned the hearing, Mr Minton saying it would be able to report t 0 President Truman to-mor-row Mr Truman is then expected to instruct the Justice Department to obtain a court injunction to end the walk-out.