THE THREAT OF THE DRIVERS' UNION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2933, 20 November 1916, Page 4

THE THREAT OF THE DRIVERS' UNION

An industrial union which appeals to the Arbitration Court for improved conditions of work and wage, and being dissatisfied with the award threatens to strike, is acting on the principle of "heads 1 win, tails you lose." This apparently is the attitude of the Drivers' Union. If the award had been entirely in its favour it was content to abide by the Court's decision. If not, then it has recourse to industrial strife, setting at defiance the decision of the tribunal it chose to settle its grievance. Obviously, this is not "playing the game." Of what value are awards of the Arbitration Court if one party to a dispute is only prepared fo accept the decision if it happens fo be in its favour 1 Such a. position is, of course, on the face of it absurd and indefensible. As to the facts of the Drivers' Union original claim it is clear that the men were justified in seeking an improvement in ■ their conditions. Single horse drivers were receiving only £2 Bs. a week, and two-horse drivers £2 125., and their hours of work were apparently up to 56 a week. In the Australian States, according to the Commonwealth Year Book, the respective rates of pay in Sydney and Melbourne were £2 10s. and £2 155.; in Adelaide £2 10s. to £2 125.; in Western Australia, £2 Ms. and £3; and in Brisbane and Hobart. £2 7s. 6d. and £2 !2s. Tho Arbitration Court here, after investigation, increased the rate of pay in Now Zealand from £2 Bs. to £2 J2s. for drivers of single-horse vehicles, and from £2 12s. to £2 16s. for drivers of two-horse vehicles, and at the same time reduced tho hours of labour by four a, week. These: improvements in their conditions, however, did not satisfy the Drivers' Union, hence the threatened trouble. The situation is an unpleasant one, and is made difficult for tho employers by tho fact that to yield now to the demands of the union may bo regarded as stultifying the decision of the Arbitration Court. It should be borne in mind, however, that the wage fixed by the Court is the minimum wage, and also that the conditions at the moment are exceptional. The drivers are amongst the most poorly paid of our workers, and their case, although prejudiced by the course followed by the union, seems lo call for some consideration. Without altering the terms of the award an arrangement might be come to by which the men would have their wage supplemented during war time by way of bonus. The conference of employers which is to meet hero might well consider the matter from this point of view.