AUCKLAND MINERS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1926, Page 1

AUCKLAND MINERS

CONFERENCE WITH OWNERS. [ilY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, June 30. The conference between the North Island coal mine owners and the Union’s representatives concluded at ITuntly to-day with an agreement on all the questions in dispute. ' The new agreement was approved by both parties. The men’s delegates make their consent, however, subject to ratification by their unions. The mines affected by the agreement arc those of Glen Afton, Pukemiro, Waipa and Taupiri. With respect to the remaining mines, Hikurangi and Wilson’s Collieries, certain clauses of local application were deferred for consideration in Auckland to-morrow. In accordance with an undertaking ■given by the Union delegates yesterday, the men will work eleven days per fortnight, thus continuing the practice of working on Saturday mornings.. The piece rates of pay remain unaltered. 'Die wage rates have been increased in some instances to bring them to the level of the rates existing in the West Coast collieries. No increases have been granted to hoys under 17 years of age, and of the total adult wages, about 50 per cent remain unaltered. The Unions having cancelled their registration under Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. preference to Unionists was withheld until such time ns thev register themselves under the Incorporated Societies Act, as they have agreed to do,-or alternatively, until they agree to register the agreement arrived at as provided by the; Labour Disputes Investigation Act. The duration of the agreement is for a period of two years from the date of its ratification. Tt will come into force at the commencement of the first pay, a fortnight after being ratified. the general clauses of the new agreement occupy about two thirds of the whole, and are applicable to Hikurangi and Wilson’s collieries, in addition to those of Waikato. There are, however, certain special clauses covering local conditions which will have to ho considered soprrately. These will he discussed at a meeting of the owners and Union representatives in Auckland to-morrow.