Grave Strike in Welsh Coalfields

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 57, 10 March 1944, Page 5

Grave Strike in Welsh Coalfields

BIG PRODUCTION LOSS LONDON, March 8. i Britain’s spreading coal strike threatens to close every Welsh mine by the v;eek-end and cost the nation about half a million tons of coal a week. Approximately 70,000 miners are now idle and the daily production loss is estimated at about GO,OOO tons. Ml*. Arthur Horner, president of the South Wales Miners’ Federation, said: “The , situation threatens to become catastrophic. The Welsh miners have revolted in no uncertain fashion.” Practically the whole of the Rhondda Valley has stopped production, and most of the men from the important Tredegar collieries in Monmouthshire have joined the strikers. The strike is spreading to West Wales. The chief cause of the strikers’ resentment is the Government’s decision that the special allowances granted under the recent award for working in difficult places shall be included in the £5 a week minimum wage awarded by the Porter Tribunal. Feeling i 3 running high. Among the strikers are men from the record-breaking Abergorki colliery, which, has flown the Union Jack at its masthead for 40 consecutive weeks as a sign that it has passed its target output. At meetings throughout tho coalfields the strikers have been told that they will have no backing from their union. Miners’ lodges are holding meetings to consider a recommendation from the executive council that they should return to work pending a discussion with the Porter Tribunal and tho negotiating committee of the owners and men over the question of anomalies. However, some of the lodges have already decided to remain on strike until March 11, for which date a delegate conference has been convened, at which a report will be given of to-day’s talks in London with the Fuel Minister (Major Lloyd George.) According to the Official Wireless, more than half of the Glasgow dockers have struck because of a dispute between two unions. The principal Clyde dockers’ union, the Scottish Transport and General Workers’ Union, complains of the enrolment of non-unionists in the National Union of General and Municipal Workers. The strikers have declined an official investigation. This is the first important Clyde-side stoppage for two years. Wales is now in the grip of the most calamitous miners’ strixe since 1926. The coalowners’ spokesman put the number of affected pits at 156, employing 80,000 men of the 100,000 en gaged in this coalfield. These strikers have virtually brought to a standstill mines producing chc world’s best steam coal, which is vitally needed not only for war factories, railways, and home industries, but for ships' bunkers and cargoes for special overseas needs. Street scenes in the Rhondda Valley, one of tho most famous coal producing centres, were reminiscent to-day of the big unemployment days of the postwar industrial depression. Miners stood idly at street corners, vowing their determination to stick it out until their grievances are met. The pitnead gear throughout the valley is silent, and no smoke is issuing from the chimneys. A coal hewer said: “I know people are saying wo are letting down the soldiers, but we are fighting lor improved conditions for them when they return. ’ ’ The stoppage is already affecting industries. Coal for boilers and for producers is exhausted at one electricallypowered works in South Wales. The Fuel Minister (Major Lloyd George) is negotiating with the committee of miners and owners in London. The Minister undertook to consider other matters concerning allowances peculiar to South Wales when tho men return to work. The men’s representatives joined the Minister in urging the men to return to work. The meeting also considered an overhaul of the wage structure, which is very complicated. The Minister submitted proposals which both sides agreed to consider.