Document dD26JaXr7nzE1pkx82NNGp425

os > Australian Blue Asbestos Limited i Mines mills WiTTENOOM. W.A. 18 William Street PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA Oposoxno9m TELEPHONE 8 2238 Wittenoom Gorge 14-th June, 1949 The Managing Director, Australian Blue Asbestos Limited, SYDNEY : N.S.W. // < ' ; Dear Sir, INDUSTRIAL MATTERS. After copies of the Industrial Agreement were forwarded to you about four weeks ago, the Carpenters and Bainters entered a claim for an award and the Engineers Union raised some objection to the terms of the agreement. The position was discussed with the Unions, agreement reached on three occasions, followed by attempted alterations on the part of the unions, but finally the matter was submitted to the Court without any alteration of note. Evidence was submitted by the union at Perth and transcript is enclosed* The Court then prooeeded to Wittenoom where further evidence was called by the Unions and Mr* West has been asked to forward the Transript to you when he receives copies from the Employers Federation. It has now been arranged for the Court to hear our evidence after completion of the Yampi case, probably the first or seoond week in July. It will be noted that a good deal has been made of the possible effects of dust and fibre on health of employees, but except as a general disability, it has little direot bearing on any of the specific claims made by the Unions and although calling for improvements in working __conditions in this regard, should not influence the Court's r,. *, % decis4-i+ons* . .L - m 1 V iLO j j! C f55l Private No* 243 2 A somewhat vigorous attack was made on our diesel looomotivee and this will he defended In principle both in Court and with the Mines Department. The local Workman's Inapeotor gave extraordinary evidenoe whioh is in keeping with his personal oharaoter and mental condition, hut this can he effectively dealt with both in and out of Court* unfortunately it may have some repercussions in dealings with Mines Department Inspectors for the time being. The Unions olaim a District Allowance of 30/- for "1 single men and 40/- for married men. Although no mention A has been made to the Court, or anyone, we have, in effect, agreed to this olaim in principle b? agreeing to subsidise retnale in the Township. The question How arises whether to put lie subsidy into force before the formal hearing and ' hope to forestall the Court, or to await the Court's deolslon on the matter. We think it unlikely that the Court would grant an increase if we reduced rent. We await your decision on this matter and our proposal regarding rents is that we subsidise to the extent of 5/- per week at present, but if the Housing Commission increase rents the tenants should not be asked to pay more than 25/- per week. The latter would not, of oourse, be made puhlio and oould be deolded after the Court's deoision. If a rental of, say, 35/- for cottages at Wittenoom exists., it is considered that this will always be cause for claims by the Uhions irrespective of oonoesslons granted by the Court in the form of District Allowance and it is thought better to remove the cause as soon as possible. Tows faithfully, EnoTmures: Transoript - Industrial Matters. . Manager's Heport for May, 1949 Financial Statement, May, 1949 Detailed Lists of Cheques Drawn, May, 1949