MINERS' OUTPUT
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—In view -of the importance of output on costs, on trade and employment, and in view of such statements as those made by " A. S. B." in your correspondence coluinns, please allow me to draw attention to the following facts :-
We were told that the Eight Hours Act would bring in- creased production and reduced costs through the adoption of the three-shift system. The miners refused to go on that system, output went down and costs increased.
We were told that the miners would produce as much under the Seven Hours Act as under the Eight Hours Act. Output again went down.
In the middle of the War, and with a serious coal shortage, the nation lost coal at the rate of " 26,000,000 tons a year through the unjustifiable absenteeism of the miners "—vide Mr. Stephen Walsh, miners' in a public Press article (Manchester Guardian). .
More recently it was proved in the Barnsley County Court that miners were losing an average of twenty-six per cent. of their working time without reason or excuse. A defendant spokesman candidly admitted that the men " took time off to spend their money." Still more recently, in the same Court, it was proved that the miners lose an average of 26s. per man, per week through absenteeism.—I am, Sir, fie., E. T. Goon.
Previous page
