NO. 2 MINE AGAIN OPERATING - 1933 - Staunton Macoupin County IL

NO. 2 MINE AGAIN OPERATING - 1933 - Staunton Macoupin County IL
©2003-2010
contributed by Joan Miley 2003

The No. 2 mine of Mt. Olive & Staunton Coal company this morning resumed operations, after a three weeks' period of idleness owing to a disagreement between the members of the Miners' union and the company officials on the matter of dividing the work. The company had proposed a seven-way split for many of the men, but this was turned down. A new arrangement was then worked out whereby the division of work will be more equal, and at the present time the miners will he divided into six groups, working two days and off ten. Top men will be divided into four groups, according to information given us at the mine. This arrangement, we are informed, will be changed as soon as business justifies. The mine has orders for a considerable amount of coal, with prospects of obtaining more. As soon as the orders demand an increase in the tonnage, the groups will be rearranged to give the men more work. The company has purchased two more loading machines which will be installed as soon as they arrive. One of the new machines is a Joy, the same as the four that are now in operation. The other is a Goodman, which is of a different type, but designed to do the same work as the ones now used. When these two are added it will mean the employment of more men each day, thus increasing the number of days that the men will get. Reports from industrial centers throughout the country indicate a decided revival of business, which should naturally mean an increase in the demand for coal. It is hoped that the Mt. Olive & Staunton Coal company, as well as the other operators in this vicinity, will be able to find new markets so that the miners will again be able to earn enough to live decently.