mining - kellingley dispute ends
WORKERS, SEPT 2004 ISSUE
The four-month dispute at Kellingley Colliery has come to an end. Kellingley miners have managed to maintain their working conditions which exclude nights and weekends, but the 180 miners transferring from the Selby complex will start working permanent nights.
Their jobs have been saved but their terms and conditions will differ from the established Kellingley miners.
UK Coal argues that the reason for the trade dispute has disappeared and that all strike action should cease. However, the current truce will almost certainly break down when the first vacancy occurs and management seeks to impose less favourable working conditions.
The demands for the opening of an additional coal face and enhanced investment have also not been met. The issue of a survival plan for the pit must be resolved, or Kellingley could become another Selby in a couple of years' time.