Evening star., 1943-06-10
Coal
Continued From First PageD

tSolltAlhCo Olll + IL Sg dsC.t
lated at an average of an hour
day for inside men. At time and one
half, this would amount to Sl.5O
under the basic rate. Distributed
evenly among all employees, outside
as we'll as inside, the basis of l30
was reached for both types of work
ers.
Mr.. ONeill estimated that the
concessions already allowed by the
board to the miners would raise the
total to $l47 a day He calculated
this would raise costs 30 cents ton
Such a cost on an industry-w
basis In a 100000, ,OOO-ton year (the
1943 goaD would be sl800OO,oO0.
All the operators told the board
that whatever the cost increase a
corresponding increase In the selling
price must be provided. They con-
tended that since no retroactive
price increases can be made the
retroactive costs must be taken care
OF in the future selling prices"
Edward R. Burke. representing the
operators, fatty told the board, IF
this selling price adjustment is not
made, the coal industry cannot pay
the bill Under the WLB directive,
any wage adjustment is retroactive
to April /.
Mr.. ONeill's proposed settlement
OF the portalto-p portal pay issue
brought some pointed questions
from public members of the board.
Chairman William H. Davis ques-
toned whether the operators were
under legal obligation to pay for
travel time at time and half rates
He said that if the old contract
were still in effect, the miners were
precluded from raising the portal
to-portal pay issue until it expired
Deal Subject to Approval.
If added Mr.. Davis. 1T has ex-
pired they have no right to claim
that portal-to-portal pay shall be
compensated as time and a half
after IS hours
Vice Chairman George W. Taylor
asked whether Mr.. ONeill made his
agreement subject to War Labor
Board approval. Mr.. ONeill replied
that 1t was made subject to ap-
proval by the board as we'll as by
other Government agencies. includ-
Ing those authorized to allow the
price increase he deemed necessary
to cover the higher labor costs.
With respect to other issues Mr..
O'Neill said that on the question of
seventh day Of work the agreement
would provide that a man would
have the right to work six regular
days. while the company would have
the right to use men who have been
idle during the week when Sunday
work was necessary. II, however,
the company used men on the sew
enth day double time would be paid.
Will Furnish Equipment.
The agreement will provide for
the furnishing by the operators OF
safety equipment which they refuire
be used and will provide that the
operators supply tools to men work.
ing by the day or month, but not
to piece workers. This latter is gen.
orally the policy now in the mines.
At one point during the question
Ing, Board Member Wayne L. Morse
asked whether Mr.. O'Neill thought
that the proposed settlement was ir
fact an indirect wage increase or a
determination of portal-to- portal
pay due the miners.
Mr.. O'Neill replied that he would
call 1t bargaining under a rule OF
reasoning applied to the particular
problems in the industry"
Morse Not Satisfied.
Mr.. Morse, In apparent reference
to the proposal to omit specific
travel time figures in the agreement
said that he felt the parties were not
free to settle their problems with
any figures you pick out of the
air"
He said at one point that Mr.
ONeill's discussion of the agreement
was mot at all satisfactory" thi,
again appearing to refer to thu
method by which the $l.30 pay ad.
justment was reached.
Most of the 530O00-odd Unites
Mine Workers were out from Jun'
] through June 5. making then
liable for fines Of S. each for tn,
fave.day absence from the ninea