PUBLIC WORKS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 193, 11 May 1920, Page 8

PUBLIC WORKS

— -+—. — , MEN DEMAND MORE PAY i AND BETTER CONDITIONS \ i ■ i DEPUTATION TO MINISTER 1 j Tlio Minister of Public -Works (Mr. \ "ontes) lind a long interview- yesterday , with representatives of the workers on \ railway and road construction in different , pVrts of the country. They had come to i ask the Minister for a considerable in- > crease in their pay, and to make de- . mdnds also for improvements in their conditions of work and conditions of j living. The deputation was introduced by Mr. P. Fraser, M.P. ! Mr. .president of the New Zealand workers' Union, introduced the i general subject matter of tho deputation. He said that delegates were present from all parts of the country where public ■ works men were employed, with the ex- j cepiTon of JAmgahao. The deputation ■ would ask ftr improved conditions for ' the immediate present, and that the I Minister sTTould meet them periodically ' in the future at a conference for the discussion or possible revision of pav and • conditions. He hoped that the Minis- ! tor would give an assurance that there would be no victimisation of anyone on account of bis activities in the formation ; of new unions of workers. ■ , TKe Minister at onco gave the assurnnce that he would give instructions that ' nothing in the nature of victimisation., should be inflicted on any man, and said he would take very good caro that no victimisation would take place. Ho was ( sure that the Engineer-in-Chief was not likely to take up the attitude which the unions seemed to think possible. Mr. Coates asked that the interview be postponed as he had to attend a most important meeting of Cabinet. Ho was : most anxious to go thoroughly into all U;e matters mentioned in the demands submitted to mm, and to settle as many as possiblo of them before the deputation '. loft Wellington. On tho question of wages he could not promise to make a .decision. That, would have to be done ■ 'fly Cabinet. It was his desire to go on with a comprehensive scheme of public i works, and he realised that if ho was to be successful in this he must have the co-operation of the men on the works. Ho untfoi'stood, of course, that tho men i would ask only for what they considered reasonable. Mr. M'lnerney: Yes, sir. and wo are not standing for any shirker, either. , The interview was adjourned until the afternoon, and after two hours' sitting a farther adjournment was made until the evening. The Demands. Tho demands submitted were as follow :— Hours of work: That a 44-hour week be considered a full working week, tho hours of work shall be between 8 a-m. and 5 p.m. on five days of the week. Work to cease at noon on Saturday, except in the case of men working in wet. places, then the hours of work shall bo six hours per day, and shall bo paid for as if eight hours had been worked. ' Tn cases that are considered wet, Hie workers' check inspector shall define what .is p. wet pl_ace. In case any dispute arises' as to what is a wet place the matter shall be arranged by the chock inspyetor and the foreman, should they fail to agree \ the matter 6hall be settled by an arbitrator selected by the parties concerned. Rates of pay: The wages shall bo Ite. per day, but should the Government (1) provido dry canteens : as hereafter provided for in these demands, or where canteens are impracticable (2) carry commodities for workers free of cost t,n railways from the four chief centres and nndfrtako their distribution to the camp, then the wages shall bo 15s. per day. Tunnel workers: That tunnel workers bs paid" ,£1 per day. but should tho G_oS eminent provide a dry canteen as hereinbefore mentioned, then wages shall be, lis. a day. Overtime: All time worked before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m. shall be paid for as time and a half rates, but for all work performed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and statutory holidays shall be paid for at double Tates. Travelling time: Travelling tiiuo .to be paid both ways when the distanco exceeds one mile. ■Government supplies: Dry canteens to bo established on all P.AV.D. works, all commodities and necessities of life to bo supplied on the job at the Board of Trade wholesale prices. The union to take the responsibility of protecting the Government against loss, but where impracticable, the workers' commodities to be carried free of cost from the four chief cities, tho Government to undertake the distribution. Co-operative work: That the present co-operative system continue, providing that it has a corresponding increase on present scheduled rates, but where workers do not earn the current daily wage they shall receive an amount as may be necessary to bring their earnings up to tho daily wage. In the event a any dispute arising in connection with this clause the same shall be decided by the check inspector and' the engineer. Sailing a settlement, the clause regarding lyet places to apply. Shifting time: All time occupied- in erecting tents or shifting camp shall be paid for at current rates. Horso hire: On public work* where horses are employed, each horse employed in. tunnols and cutting works shall be paid for at tho rate of 10a.-per day, but 12s. per day shall be paid for each horse in teams employed out on the road. Slips and washaways: In the event of a washaway or accident requiring the services of men working continuous Hours, refreshments such as tea, coffee. tf.s food shall be supplied or provided by tho ganger or officer in charge, at the expense of the Government. Provision of tools: That all tools bo provided freo by the Government to all Public. Works employees, excepting carpenters and engine-drivers, tho latter to receive a tool allowance of 2s. per week. All tools to be kept in proper repair by the Government. (2) All planks, plant, points, rails, frogs, etc., to bo of good quality and design, the same to bo placed I within one chain of the job. Payments: Pays to be'made fortnightly, and no more than six days' pay to bo retained by the Government. Holidays: That all Public Works employees, including piece workers, be granted all statutory holidays, together with two weeks' annual holiday, at "scheduled rates, and in conjunction with the annual holiday the Public Works employees shall receive a free railway pass from station to station, and a single journey pass to their home station, and the Minister to strictly administer the regulations governing holidays. Firewood and fuel:-That firewood and fuel depots !be established on tho job, Power plant provided, by the Government to cut the firewood into suitable lengths. Firewood and fuel to bo supplied to married men throughout the year free, and to single men during the winter months, excepting where wood is not available within half a mile of the camp, then firewood or fuel must' be supplied free to all workers. Cook-houses: That cook-houses in accordance with those obtaining at Huarua be erected by the Government, rua by the union, and catering done by con. tract, the union to have full control. Control of P.W.D. works: That practlcal foremen be placed in charge of tunnels, cuttthgs, platelaying, and all progressive P.W.D. work, with full authority to employ their own men. Management of works: That tne Minister of P.W.D. works periodically- conveno a round-table conference of workers' representatives to place before him suggestions for the practical operation of the P W<D. construction worlts in accordance with Section 17. Part 2, of tho General Ttegwlatioiis made by the Public Service Commissioner, Medical attendance: That a doctor, nurse, and a cottage hospital be provided on all P.W.D. works. Until such aro provided a qualified first-aid man be placed on the job, and suitable outfits rurnished, in accordance with the conditions obteininir at Huariin. Education: That the Minister lie tcnupsted to provide praner educational facilities for every job where there is no school within two miles. Recreation halls: That whore 21) or more men are to be employod on a job for twelve months or more, a recreation hall shall be erected and furnished with tables and chairs. The hall to be i>!i)i«od nnderftho control of the'union. _ There were domonds also for impwr.wl i

housing conditions, better sanitation, the provision of bathing accommodation, and drying rooms, similar to those already provided at certain works. Cost of Living. Mr. J. E. M'Manus (Dunedin) thajikwl the Minister for the cenciliatory attituda in which he was meeting the men. ■ Regarding the demand for a 4-1-hour week, ho said that it was a fact that public bodies were worlring their men as a rulo less than 48 hours per week, most of them 1-1 hours per week. Other awards for labourers provided for a di-hour week. At present the practice was to work 83 l hours per day for five days a week in 1 order to make up for the half-holiday 1 on Saturday. As to tho demand for i provision for work in wet places, he . urgrd that the union's demand that the j men should have something to say in ( the definition of a wet place was reasonable. In nrivato employ this was al- J ready conceded. The Government con- i ceded it in some places, and ho asked i that it bo extended to all places of Gov- ( eminent employment. Discussing tho question of wages, ho disputed tho Statistician's fijures as to ] the increaso in the cost of living. He i presented figures with intent to show that i the cost of living had increased almost < 100 per cent., and that prices wero even highor to the men on buck-country works. His figures showed that on a score of i articles in common ueo tho price had i risen by 100 per cent, or more. Mr. Coat?* asked wbethei tha union would consider an increase in vtgts i based on the Statistician's figures for tho increase in tho coat of living. Members of the deputation would not agree to this, saying that tho Statistician's figures did not apply to country conditions. -In the end they agreed that the proposal the Minister had made should be accepted as a basis for argument, and that in argument 6ome uccount should be taken of special conditions which made costs higher in back-blocks. Cheaper Food. Mr. J. M'lnerney (Huarua) dealt with tho question of 'tunnelling work nnd urged that in cases of complaints a conference should take place between two representative workmen and a foreman, and if no settlement could bo arrived at tho matter should go on to tho engineer. He .urged that practical men should always bo placed in charge of tunnelling jobs—efficient and- practical miners. .He went on to argue that the schedule rates in tho north would not permit of men earning 15s. a day. Regarding the proposal for medical attendance, he foaid that tho workers would be willing to join j with settlers in forming a medical association. At presont navvies on public works could riot pay the charges made by private practitioners; tlicy were so high. Tho fi'rst-aid man could bB a worker on the job. A Committeo for Details. At the evening sitting Mr. Cook asktd the Minister if and when he was willing to meet a small committee for tho union in order to discuss the details of Wio claims, in order to reduce the timw occupied. Mr. Coates replied that the union appeared 'to be of one mind in regard to the demands, and it was only a matter of their stating their case. He was very anxious that an agreement should be arrived at, and in order to arrive at A settlement, he was willing to sit all night if necessary. He desired that there should be an absolute understanding. The wages demands he would havo to refer to Cabinet. Mr. J. Mann pressed the claim for free tools for co-operative workers. Ho would not accept the statenitmt that, co-operative workers wore in tho position of contractors, and that as such should provide their own tools. Nor did 1 e admit that tools would be lost if they were issued free. This could bo done under proper safeguards, making the men responsible for losses. He also spoke of tho demand for a fortnightly pay. Previously they had been supposed to be paid every four weeks, but always the period rsn over four weeks. This system by which delay occurred in pay made it difficult for men to carry on. They had to ask for credit, and in tho case of new men coming on to works thoy might havo to get credit for as long as seven weeks. The difficulties increased if the man had his family in town. In asking for a free pass over railways at holidays, he, suggested that as the men built railways they Iwero entitled to privileges as railway men. Mr. Coates said "that public works men wero not Government servants in the same way as'were members of the railway service, and he did not,think public works men had much chance of getting free railway passes. Alleged Muddle. Mr. S. Boroham (Dunedin) 6aid that the Public Works administration in the Otago district was "a muddle." As an instance of muddlo he told of the Catlins branch, a length of line of 41 miles, and it had tnken 39 years to build. It could have been laid in three years. His general complaint was that tho conditions of tho workers were not sc good as in. the North Island.. He gave a number of instances of mistakes in details of administration on works in different parts of the district. Another of his complaints was against. ..-high prices charged by some grocers for food, while others in. the some districts charged lower prices. As a way out ho thought the .oanleens would be a good arrangement, and he hoped that tho Truck Act would not bo any obstacle to their establishment. In ono case he knew, of a grocer having sold little potatoes at 'tho rate of w£4S per ton! The union had given security for worth of goods to be sent to the union, and tho storekeepers since then had sold goods without description as to weight. Under suoh conditions of trading men could not bo expected to bo honest on 12s. a day. * Mr. Coates: You may be assured that it is my job, and it will be my job to go round 'to all the districts and' seo the difficulties of the. men on tho ground. I regirot that I cannot go to your district before the session. If you people are being charged excessive prices I shall make thorough inquiries and find out whether it is anybody's job, or whetlnw it is tho Public Works Department's job to have these matters brought before the tribunal. Mr. W. Wallace (Eskdale) spoke of tho Napior-Wairoa line, his general statement being that if the work was to go forward at a reasonable pace some bet ter conditions would have to be provided for the men. Men.would not stay on the WORKS'. Mr. C. Grayndler said that private contractors could not treat their workmen ,'as these employees of the State were treated to-day. There could bo no real excuse for resisting the demand for tho setting up of canteens for the distribution of food and certain articles of clothing require*! by tho men. It would not bo fair for. the Government to nsF'the men to form their own organisations for the distribution of food and other necessaries in those times cf uncertainty. In reply to a question from the Minister ho said that tho organismtion did not want contract work. He hoped tho _ Minister would not try to fore© it on tho men. Mr. Coativ: I have no' intention or forcing it on you; but I have an intention of coring you contract work if you will take it. Mr. Grayndler said that the men would accept it if it wero to. be on the cooperative system, with a guarantee of n living wage, nnd with fortnightly pay. Better Returns Necessary. Mr. Coates 6aid that conditions lor workors would havo to be improved, and he realised this fully. His whole aim and object would be to give tho union conditions which would make tho workers reasonably oontent. "I haven't been in drains and working in the bush," ho said, "without knowing something about your work, and knowing what your men think and feel at tho end of their day." n« said that he had had a great deal to do with meii, nnd he claimed lo know something about men. Ho had worked for wages himself. Mi'. Cook mentioned 'the Mangnhao works. He said he had received a letter from an organiser of tho union who had visited Mangahao, and this organiser wrote that the conditions there were worse thnn on any other works, and that he could find no men except Hindu* - who were prepared lo stay on tho works for a week under present condittysn. Tho Minister, in reply, .thaukeo tho delegate:? for the reasonable way in which the men's point of view had beon presented by them. He would ask ihat a committeo should meet him fol-

lowiug morning to discuss details. He hoped soon to lx> ablo to get . pußlio works employees into .1 more contented frame- of mind. If this could not he done, then there could bo but little progress The Government must seek the co-operation and help of the men. In recent years great changes had taken place, and in future it would bo necessary for the employer (whether the State or a private maiv) to know the employee better and vico versa. This must soon be realised if the country was to do well. He could not say at the moment what the Government would do about the proposal to establish cantee. is. His inclination, in the light of his experience, was to givo it a trial, but ho could not i.vke any -'definite promise. Ho was anxious to meet the nvjn ia every reasonablo demand. His duty was to protect tho State and the taxpayer but ho believed the community would support any Government in fair dealing by its employees., He would disencs the details from this point of view in the interests of tho State and tho interests of the men, which ho did not think were always opposed. Efficient economical work should, be tho aim, aud ho personally wished to see it. Mr. P. Frasor thanked the Minister for his fair attitude, and expressed a hope that belter times were coming for tho public works men. ■ ' Tho committee will meet the Minister this morning. 1