GASWORKS TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3155, 6 August 1917, Page 7

GASWORKS TROUBLE

STILL UNSETTLED

COAL-WORKERS HOLD A MEETING

There is still no settlement of the gasworkers' trouble. On Saturday morning the coal section of the Waterside Workers' Union held another stop-work meeting between S and 9 o'clock (to which the companies concerned agreed), and as the outcome of that meeting thoy simply endorsed the suggestion that an independent committee of outsiders should bo sot up to deal with the dispute. The Kitlawa, which had a cargo of coal for the Gas Company, and was berthed at the Minimal' Wharf for discharge (for the second time since tlio cessation of work by tho retort hands), has had to unload into hulks. It is understood that on the P™™™ output of gas the company has coal Butncient to last for another fortnight.

TEXT OF THE BROKEN AGREEMENT

"In view of what has occurred," said tho Right Hon. W. J' 1 . Masses on, Saturday, "I consider it advisable to publish. tho text of the agreement entered into between tho -parties concerned." Tt, reads as follows:— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, August 1, 1917. Wellington Gasworks Dispute: Terms of Settlement. (1) Eight men to bo taken back at once (three as firemen and the rest as yardmen) in order of seniority, and in , the meantime at the respective wages for., the positions now paid by tho Wellington Gas Company, ltd. The others to have preference in order of seniority up to a period of six months from this date. 1 he Minister of Public Works to find employment in the city of Wellington or its neighbourhood for any of the men not taken back by the company. (2) Tho following matters to be referred to arbitration by Mr. Justice Stringer, or, failing him, some other Judge of the Supreme Court:— (a) The Tate of wages to bo paid to the retort hands; and . (b) The conditions of labour in the re-tort-house iniconnection with future employment. Signed-W. F. Massey (Prime Minister), C. Prendergast-Knight, (chairman of directors Wellington Gns Company, Ltd.), Lewis Glover (president Wellington Waterside Workers' Union), J. Harris (for the retort hands). Tho Prime Minister informed, a Dominion reporter yesterday that he had sent a communication to the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union in reply to the suggestion that an independent committee should be set up to consider the gasworks dispute. He had asked the union to adhere to the arrangement mads, last week, when representatives of all tne parties to the dispute signed an undertaking to refer it to arbitration by Mr. Justice Stringer, or, failing him, some other-Judge of tho Supreme Court. Mr. Massey added that he had communicated with Mr. Justice Stringer, who had consented to hear the case and decide the points mentioned in the terms of settlement signed by the parties, including tho president of the Wellington Watefsido Workers' Union and the representative of the retort hands. He could see no reason why the 'document signed by tho parties should not be given effect.