Robens Squeezes Another Bob

The Newsletter, vol. 6 no. 235, 10 February 1962 · scan page 4

Title, extent and credit checked against the scan (17 October 2026, from the scan: page 4, headline 'Robens Squeezes another bob' over columns 6-7, 'By ALAN WEST Our Labour Correspondent'; 'The Big Shutdown / Greatest since 1926' is the headline of the round-up beside it. The Hull strike item (column 8) cut out). The text is machine-read and not corrected: for anything you quote, read the scan.

solidarity.

By ALAN WEST Our Labour Correspondent FORCED by growing militancy and threats of go-slows and strikes, Lord Robens, the strikes, Lord Robens, the National Coal Board chairman, has raised his pay offer by a shilling a week for all grades of has raised his pay offer by a miners.

The original offer was 3$ per cent, which would have given day-wage miners 6s. 6d. a week more and craftsmen 9s. 6d. The new offer would give the industry's 247,000 day-wage miners an increase of 3% per cent and 46,000 craftsmen 4 to 4.3 per cent. Piece-work prices are to be pegged for the next 12 months.

This offer goes beyond the 2} per cent maximum laid down by the government during the period of 'wage restraint' but, as the Tory press has stressed, miners, unlike railwaymen, do not set the pace for wage increases and the employers are satisfied that the rise could be covered by productivity.

Selwyn Lloyd has therefore given Robens more freedom in negotiations than Dr. Beeching.

7s. 6d. a week, however, will not buy peace in the mining industry. It is certain that this offer will not meet with the approval of the miners. Already union leaders are seeking fresh talks with Robens in order to encourage him to raise the offer again.

The Coal Board chairman will be placed in an awkward position, sandwiched between the angry miners and Mr. Lloyd with his pruning fork.

Action by the miners can prove to be more effective than any jabs the Chancellor cares to any trade union participation in NEDC.

'Today will focus the attention of the public on our situation, he said. Further action will be taken if there is no response from the employers when they meet the executive later this week. We have not yet discussed what that action will be, but with the backing of the workers we will win this claim.' Many critical questions were raised from the floor. One questioner suggested that instead of joining NEDC the General Council of the TUC should unite to administer. A wave of resolutions from NUM branches calling for a national stoppage would disprove the press's story that miners do not set the pace for wage increases.

The employers' quiet satisfaction at the certainty of a 33 per cent rise being swallowed by increased productivity is a cynical snub that can only be answered by the strongest possible action.

The rank and file in all industries should press for talks between miners, railmen and engineering workers to discuss widespread and united action that could rock the very foundations of the government.