WORK AND WAGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 277, 20 May 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

A\ AWARD AGREED TO. By Telegraph—Press Association. Thames, Saturday. An industrial arrangement between the mine-owners and the Thames Miners' Union has been definitely arranged. Tha general conditions and hours of labor are the same as in the old award, with a special clause added providing that in eontraeting, where the whole of the contractors are co-partners and no wages men are employed, no percentage is to be kept back for a longer period than one month. The only recognised holidays are from Christmas Day to January 3, inclusive, and Miners' Union Day..The schedule of wages as agreed on shows an all-rounu increase over the old award, and is an increase on the existing Waihi agreement. The matter was arranged at a friendly conference between the representatives of the miners and the companies.

A MINING TROUBLE. Reefton, Saturday. Serious trouble has arisen in the mines here. It has long been rumored that .the Consolidated group of mines intended making the men work the hoppers single*, handed. The miners strongly object, as the work is dangerous owing to the vibration of the surrounding rock and tha likelihood of accidents; also for other reasons. This morning the machine mea were ordered at the Globe and liner* getic mines to work the hoppers single* handed. All refused and were given their time. Twenty men returned from the Energetic and thirty from the Globe, There is great excitement in town, ana there is almost Bure to be furthegj trouble. News from the Globe mine states that feeling is very strong there. Public opinion is greatly in favor of the men.

A STRIKE CASE. Auckland, Saturday. As a sequel to the dismissal of the charge of instigating an unlawful strike against the Waterside Workers' Union> the Inspector of Awards has filed summonses against James Collet, secretary, and 34 members of the union, claiming £2OO from the secretary, and £lO each' from the men. '