HC Deb 29 February 1972 vol 832 cc83-4W
Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the detailed concessions given to the National Union of Mineworkers in addition to the basic Wilberforce recommendations; and what is the total cost of the miners' award, specifying the percentage increase for the surface workers, the underground workers and those on the National Power Loading Agreement.

Mr. Ridley

The following information requested has been given by the National Coal Board1. Further points in the settlement, in addition to the recommendations of the court of inquiry, are:—

  1. (i)Consequential increases for coke workers, weekly paid industrial staff, canteen workers and clerks—all from 1st November, 1971.
  2. (ii) Juveniles (under 21 years) to receive the adult wage increase at the age of 18 from 1st November, 1971, by stages. On the resumption of work, 20-year-olds will receive the adult rate (previously the adult rate had been paid at age 21); one year later, 19-year-olds will receive the adult rate; one further year later, 18-year-olds will receive the adult rate.
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  3. (iii) Those on personal rates under the 1955 Daywage Agreement or the Third Day-wage Structure to receive the full increases appropriate to their grade.
  4. (iv) An extra five individual days' holiday, in the holiday year beginning 1st May, 1972, to be taken by agreement with the manager.
  5. (v) Winding enginemen to receive an extra 80 pence a week—making their total wage increase £5.80 from 1st November, 1971.
  6. (vi) A new structure for lorry drivers with five grades according to the weight of vehicles. The lowest grade rate to be £23.00 and the top grade rate to be £24.50, from 1st November, 1971.
  7. (vii) The five-day week bonus to be consolidated in the shift rate from 1st June, 1972, thereby including it in the calculation of overtime.
  8. (viii) Agreement that the calculation of next summer's holiday pay would not be reduced because of the overtime ban and the strike.
  9. (ix) The board and the union to try to agree a productivity payment scheme by September, 1972.
  10. (x) The board and the union to discuss a national subsidised transport agreement and try to reach such an agreement by 1st May, 1972.
2. The total estimated cost of the basic Wilberforce recommendations would be about £85 million for a full year's work from 1st November, 1971, with a further £5 million for the other changes. 3. The percentage increases in basic weekly rates are 27.14;8 per cent. on the surface minimum, 31.6 per cent. on the underground minimum, and would represent 15 per cent. on the National Power Loading Agreement rate excluding the implementation of parity on 31st December, 1971.