OTIRA TUNNEL WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 144, 13 March 1920, Page 6

OTIRA TUNNEL WORKERS

ACCEPT CONTRACT' '.SYSTEM,

The Minister of Public Works announced vcsterday that he .kid informed that arrangements: had been concluded bv his officers with, thv'.inen on the Otira works' bv which the men aßrJed to work on the tunnel on the. co-operative contract svstein. /instead of on shift. whim, iis heretofore.. For a.lons time the wages of the .men oh the ptira end of the tunnel , have liecit subiect'of controversy. The men have been paid at shift rates, arid they' li.ivo bejiii continually asking .for", amendment of these rates.'some'of-their ret|tirsls being supported by members of Pol-lii-ment". and public bodies, The Minister has always bee A williiig'to Rive the moil the contract .svstem.''.. While the lueu at the Otii-ft 'side have boon Qnrninfj. 15a. a day. working only six hours a day, the men at. the other end of the tunnel, at Bealev. who have for lonp been on Iho co-operative system.. liavo been earning from 203.-to 225. 9d/ per day,- working, however, a day of eight hours. It is hoped that this arrangement will mnkii for moro settled conditions of work on Hie tunnel, and that there will be much ihore work done.

. A CHRISTGEUECH BEPORT. By .Telegraßh—Press Association Christchurch, March 12.~_ A from Otira states that-dele-en tes Of the Workers' UnijU met Mr. Holmes (Chief' Engineer of the Public Works Department), and Mr. Holmes made an offer to put the niiners.-on the contract systom. like the men at: Bcalev. but at much hißhe:- rates,-owing to the bad eround-at Otira. - It is said that a meetih? of miners unanimously decided to accent, these terms.

Mr. Holmes also promised fortnightly oa*",and- rises- of wages for outside emnlovees. ' Housing accommodation; ' lie said, would ■be attended to, and lie would use his best endeavours to obtain a' doctor for the Otira Hospital. Several'other erievances of a minor, viaracter'were also removed. :