CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2435, 14 April 1915, Page 9

CONCILIATION COUNCIL

ELECTRICAL WORKERS' DISPUTE. ' A sitting of the Conciliation Council was held yesterday, before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. P. Hally) to further consider the demands of the Wellington Electrical Workers' Industrial Union. The assessors for the respondents were Messrs. H. A. Smith, Geo. Lauchlan, and G. Blackley, and for tho union Messrs. R. Robinson, W. Wells, and W. Richards. Mr. W. A. W. Grenfell represented the employers, and Mr. W. C. Noot the union. The Court had Bent back the case to see if a settlement could be arrived at in _ regard to practically the only two points in dispute, namely, wages of electricians and preference. The present award is Is. 4Jd. per hour, and Is, Bd. is asked for.

Mr. Noot thought that an agreement might be arrived at, as increases had been given in the carpenters' award. Mr. Grenfell said that it had been hoped that the union would agree to a further term at the current rate, in view of the war. The employers were doing their duty in keeping men employed when work was scarce.

For the union it was asserted that there was more work now in most firms than prior to the war. Another point put forward bv the assessors for the. employers was that many men had gone to the war, with the promise that their positions would be kept open to them wnen they returned. The employers had to keep that in mind, for when the • war ended there was likely to be a slump. Mr. Robinson: As far as I can see the war has not made much difference. There seems to be more vork.

For ttfe employers, Mr. Lauchlan pointed out that big works were hung up qn account of the high cost of material at present. Mr. Smith: The price of material has increased upwards of 25 per cent. The work is being cut now to keep the men employed, deßpite the increased cost, 6ut some firms are not getting the work, . The demands from the country have praotically stopped. Mr. Robinson: As against your statement that material haa gone up 26 to 50 per cent., the cost of living has gone up 50 per cent. The Commissioner asked was there a possibility of coming to terms on the old lines- during the currency of the war? . Mr* Noot: No; I do not think there is. Mr. Grenfell: I don't think we can do anything. We have oarried out ihe wishes of the Court, but we don't 6eem to be able to come to an agreement. It was then resolved to go into committee, but Mr. Grenfell said that he did not think there was any use the assessors discussing the questions privately. .. The Commissioner insisted that the committee sitting would have to bo tried, to which the agents do not stay. Mr. Grenfell: You appear to consider agents a stumbling block in the way of an agreement. Mr. Hally: I certainly do. The agents then retired, and after a short sitting in committee it was announced that no agreement could be arrived at. The matter will again go to the Arbitration Court.