Post by rob52 on Jul 12, 2016 23:31:36 GMT -5
The 1949 coal strike - Len Leffley
Mangerton NSW 2500
Australia
Published 12 Mar 2013.
"The national coal strike in 1949 proved to be one of the bitterest and costly of any strike up to that time.
Negotiations between Miners and the Coal Owners had broken down. The miners had served on the Coal Owners a log of claims, 35 shillings a week wage increase, a 35 hour week, and long service provisions in their award. These claims were rejected by the Coal Owners. The leadership of the Mining Unions decided to call mass meetings for a National strike. The vote for strike action was overwhelming carried.
I was twenty two years of age, married with a nine months old son, and attended one of those meetings. I voted to strike. During the six weeks of the strike I learnt how to live without money.
Miners organised. The miner’s wives organized kitchens and prepared meals for strikers and their families. Crews from the men in groups fished, hunted rabbits and solicited donations. I went rabbiting; proceeds went into supporting the strike.
Coal supplies were in short supply. A prolonged strike would have severe consequences for the nation. The Chifley Labour Government in a state of emergency, in an attempt to get the miners back to work froze the Unions funds. The miner’s had been forewarned of Governments action. Withdrew their funds which were secreted somewhere in the community. Attempts by the Police to recover them failed and they remained hidden. After the strike ended the funds were redeposited back into the Bank. Those that had held the money, their names were never revealed.
The strike was having a serious effect on the national economy. Coal stocks were becoming depleted. Thousands of workers were losing their jobs due to power shortages. The ACTU the governing body of the Unions condemned the strike. A mass of opposition was growing against the miners.
The Government claimed the strike was a conspiracy by the Communist for a takeover of Australia. Supporters of Communism among miners were few indeed. The Communists support among miners and Australia generally was such they would fail to run a daily train service from Sydney to Wollongong let alone run the country. The Red Bogey for the Government was working. Then the leaders of the strike were jailed.
The strike continued.
The Government then used the armed forces to work the open cut mines. The first time in Australia’s history. It was rumoured they would use arms if necessary. The miners never confronted the army during the strike, they took the rumour seriously.
Appetite for the strike among the miners was waning. Mass meetings of the miners were called. The recommendation placed before those meetings were that the strike continues until the leaders were released from goal. It was defeated. The six week strike had ended.
The miners returned to work. Reluctantly I was there with them. The following week the imprisoned leaders were released. A few weeks later we were granted long service leave. Eventually long service flowed on to the rest of the Australian workforce."
Rob
Mangerton NSW 2500
Australia
Published 12 Mar 2013.
"The national coal strike in 1949 proved to be one of the bitterest and costly of any strike up to that time.
Negotiations between Miners and the Coal Owners had broken down. The miners had served on the Coal Owners a log of claims, 35 shillings a week wage increase, a 35 hour week, and long service provisions in their award. These claims were rejected by the Coal Owners. The leadership of the Mining Unions decided to call mass meetings for a National strike. The vote for strike action was overwhelming carried.
I was twenty two years of age, married with a nine months old son, and attended one of those meetings. I voted to strike. During the six weeks of the strike I learnt how to live without money.
Miners organised. The miner’s wives organized kitchens and prepared meals for strikers and their families. Crews from the men in groups fished, hunted rabbits and solicited donations. I went rabbiting; proceeds went into supporting the strike.
Coal supplies were in short supply. A prolonged strike would have severe consequences for the nation. The Chifley Labour Government in a state of emergency, in an attempt to get the miners back to work froze the Unions funds. The miner’s had been forewarned of Governments action. Withdrew their funds which were secreted somewhere in the community. Attempts by the Police to recover them failed and they remained hidden. After the strike ended the funds were redeposited back into the Bank. Those that had held the money, their names were never revealed.
The strike was having a serious effect on the national economy. Coal stocks were becoming depleted. Thousands of workers were losing their jobs due to power shortages. The ACTU the governing body of the Unions condemned the strike. A mass of opposition was growing against the miners.
The Government claimed the strike was a conspiracy by the Communist for a takeover of Australia. Supporters of Communism among miners were few indeed. The Communists support among miners and Australia generally was such they would fail to run a daily train service from Sydney to Wollongong let alone run the country. The Red Bogey for the Government was working. Then the leaders of the strike were jailed.
The strike continued.
The Government then used the armed forces to work the open cut mines. The first time in Australia’s history. It was rumoured they would use arms if necessary. The miners never confronted the army during the strike, they took the rumour seriously.
Appetite for the strike among the miners was waning. Mass meetings of the miners were called. The recommendation placed before those meetings were that the strike continues until the leaders were released from goal. It was defeated. The six week strike had ended.
The miners returned to work. Reluctantly I was there with them. The following week the imprisoned leaders were released. A few weeks later we were granted long service leave. Eventually long service flowed on to the rest of the Australian workforce."
Rob