BUILDERS’ LABOURERS.

Evening Star, Issue 22449, 21 September 1936, Page 11

BUILDERS’ LABOURERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As one keenly interested in industrial matters it seems to me that your correspondent (Mr R. Harrison) is too much inclined to blame the much maligned employer for the state of affairs regarding the builders’ labourers and the adjustment of wages, etc. As far as I can gather the general feeling amongst the men is that it was Mr Harrison’s duty as secretary of- the union to approach them and explain the position, i should say that the majority of men employed as builders’ labourers are not members _ of the union, and a visit to the various jobs for the purposes of enrolling members and explaining matters would have been appreciated by everyone interested. As it is the workers themselves fool that they have been “ lot down ” by Mr Harrison. To bo sure, a meeting was called a fortnight ago, and in view of all the facts which must have been known to Mr Harrison, it was a somewhat belated effort on his part. It was extremely gratifying to learn that there is at least one employer (apart from a local body, I assume) who takes a liberal view of the matter, but can Mr Harrison say definitely that the men in his employ receive the award rate of 2s 3d an hour as stipulated by the Government? Mr Harrison mentions the “ award rates' of pay,” and 1 would like to’ know what award he refers to, for I am not

aware that the general labourers have ah award or industrial agreement at present. It is pleasing to note that conciliation proceedings are' to take place on Monday, October 5. However, it is hardly to be expected that an agreement will be arrived at, and as the Arbitration Court will in all probability not meet here until the end of October or early in November, the consensus of opinion amongst the men is that they have “ missed the bus.” —I am, etc., Wide Awake. September 21.