“SCANDALOUS” ATTITUDE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20017, 16 August 1939, Page 4

“SCANDALOUS” ATTITUDE

NO. 13 SCHEME WORKERS WET WEATHER PAYMENTS COOK COUNTY CRITICISM Criticism of the attitude of gangs working under the No. 13 scheme was expressed at a meeting of the Cook County' Council to-day, when the county engineer, Mr. K. F. Jones slated that the attitude of the men was scandalous. Cr. C. Tietjen said that on wet days the gangs returned from the country early in the day, but frequently the weather cleared. A® a result, the men were being paid for work on a day when much work could have been done. He suggested that when men were taken out to the jobs they should not return to town on account of rain until noon in case the rain lifted sufficiently for work to be continued. Some discussion also took place regarding the time of return: from the country in the afternoons, it being stated that frequently the gangs arrived back in town before the proper time. “The attitude of the men under No. 13 scheme is scandalous,” stated the county engineer. “They are talcing advantage of every clause in the award they can, and they are not giving us what we are entitled to. They leave town at 7.30 a.m. and return at 4.30 p.m., taking half an hour for lunch, and the greatest difficulty is to get them to come into town after 4.30 p.m. without being paid overtime for it." Cr. Tietjen stated that each ganger should be advised of the .requirements of the council. The matter was referred to the engineer.