Evening star., 1946-03-26
Lewis EndsCoa|
Pact on Sunday;
Shutdown Due
Mine Chief Declares
Men Will Not Go
Work Next Week
By james Y. Newton

John L. Lewis today termi-
mated the United Mine Workers
soft coal work contract, effective
at midnight Sunday, and an
nounced that this means the
mine workers will not work next
week. The move indicated a
shutdown of the industry which
employs 100000 persons.
In serving notice of contract
termination on the coal industry and
his local unions in the field, Mr.
Lewis left the way open for settle
ment of the dispute through the
drafting of new contract. He said
however, that SO far in Is DAYS of
negotiations with the mine op-
orators, I'VE haven't gotten an in
telligent answer from the operators
on any given proposal"
Shortly afterWard, the operators
revealed that Mr.. Lewis had re
jected su1hmarily" series of coun-
ter-proposals in which they offered
to raise wages an estimated 1872
cents an hour and to turn over to
the UNIV "all funds collected from
mine workers for payment of doc
tors. hospitals, burial funds, benefit
funds and for any similar purposes,
where the unions locals are dissatis-
fed with existing arrangements"
Hardship Fund Proposed.
In addition, the operators pro-
posed that jointly with the miners
they explore the need "of plan to
create by joint contribution a rea-
sonable fund to be used to mitigate
unusual hardships arising directly
from accidents occurring in the
course of employment in the mines,
such a fund to be administered by
some independent agency (such as
the Red Cross with the advice of
the mine workers and operators.
Notice of termination of the con-
tract was given to the operators
while they were attending a negoti-
ating session at the Shoreham Hotel.
simultaneously, Mr.. Lewis read
scores of kilograms from local unions
urging him to fight for Justice" and
not to extend the present wage
agreement past the Sunday night
deadline
Mr.. Lewis telegram to his thou
sands of UNIV locals stated that
no agreement will be in existence
after the above given date Sunday
until present negotiations
are completed"
The notice was given under a pro-
vision of the present wage agree
ment. which allows IS days for ne
gotiating, after which either side
may terminate it with a five-day
notice.
No Extension, Says Lewis.
Mr.. Lewis said emphatically that
there would be no extension of the
present contract.
This means that the mine work
ers will not work next week" Mr..
Lewis said in announcing his action.
They will remain at home with
their families. They will remain
home until the operators accord
them decent and fair treatment.
I'VE are not calling a strike. We
are notifying them of the termina-
ton of the agreement Obviously,
as you all know, the miners do not
work without a contract. They will
not trespass on the property of the
coal company. That would be a
violation of law and the mine work.
ers are law-abiding.
In sense, the mine workers will
be taking rest which they need
badly. They are worn and weary.
They have worked hard the last five
years and they have excelled all
production records hitherto known
in the mining industry in any
country.
Casualty Rate High.
During the five years they have
been given poor treatment. Their
rate OF casualties during this period
have exceeded the casualties of war
The wastage has been terrific and
at least $4,000 miners have reached
an age when they want to take
advantage of their social security.
THE emergency is now over. The
miners have waited a number of
months until there was an adequate
supply of coal in the country"
Mr.. Lewis said the miners feel
that the time has now come when
the services they have rendered
and the conditions under which
they have worked should be recog-
nized and adjusted"
There will be no extension of
the existing contract on any basis,
retroactive or otherwise" Mr.. Lewis
told reporters. The mine workers
have been defrauded out of vast
sums of money during retroactive
periods worked in the war for which
they have not been paid. They will
(See MINERS, Page A-4)
W .,