Pit closures are NCB whip hand

Workers Press no. 921, 15 November 1972 · scan page 12

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A THREAT of widespread pit closures was issued in Midlothian yesterday by James Cowan, Scottish director of the National Coal Board.

'Unless we get better presently employed, then from shedding labour in Cowan told a conference pit in Scotland.

Mick McGahey, Scottish area president of the National Union of Mineworkers and a Communist Party executive member, said he was confident of improved productivity. The mining industry in Scotland could look forward to a future based on united determination by all concerned to improve productivity for the benefit of the industry and those who were employed in it.

The conference endorsed a programme of measures to speed up 'the industry's recovery'.

In the latest issue of the NCB's 'Coal News' national chairman Derek Ezra boasts of a virtual revolution' in relations between the board and the miners' unions.

The unions are already participating in a joint sales committee with their employers, he points cut. It will be of mutual benefit to extend active joint co-operation to cover every possible sphere.

Next week the unions, CELEBRATE 3rd ANNIVERSARY OF WORKERS PRESS (See p. 1) LIVERPOOL SUNDAY DECEMBER 3, 7 p.m. Everyman Theatre NEWCASTLE SUNDAY DECEN County Hotel GLASGOW SUNDAY DECEME Woodside Halls St George's Cross BIRMINGHAM SUNDAY DECEME Assembly Hall Digbeth Civic output from the people productivity would come the least economic pits,' of delegates from every have already twice put off submitting their latest pay claim, will get round the table with the board to discuss precisely that.

At a meeting of the Coal Industry National Consultative Council on November 21, attempts will be made to draw union leaders into policy-making MEMBERS of the Anti1partheid movement, the National Union of Students and others demonstrated in the City of London yesterday in protest against the sales of South-West African Speakers:

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Speakers :

MIKE BANDA JOHN BARRIE WILLIE DOCH Action Commit Speakers:

G. HEALY (SL WILLIE AITKIN PETER SMITH capacity.)