Freezing Workers Dispute Settled

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 19, 23 January 1937, Page 4

Freezing Workers Dispute Settled

Bonus of 3d Per Hour BY DIRECTION OF MINISTER OF LABOUR Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. A settlement of the freezing workers’ dispute was effected today by the special conference held in Parliament House to discuss the conditions arising from the recent “stay-in” strike in the Auckland district. The representatives of all th* New Zealand employers and workers at the direction of the Minister of Labour (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) agreed that as from the first of this month a bonus of threepence per hour shall be paid to all workers employed on an hourly basis, such bonus to be paid for all time actually worked. An overtime bonus rate has also been fixed at threepence per hour. At the -conclusion of the conference, which lasted for the greater part of two days, the Minister of Labour with the approval of all parties to the dispute, made the following statement: — “The public aro aware of the trouble that has arisen in tho freezing industry as a result of certain provisions contained in the award of the Arbitration Court which, in tho opinion of the workers concerned, operated unjustly against them and resulted in placing them in an unfair position as compared with workers iu other industries. The climax was reached when work was in- ■ terrupted in the industry iu Aucklaud. “As Minister of Labour I deemed it my duty iu the public interest to endeavour iu a constitutional way to bring about a satisfactory solution of the questions iu dispute aud with that object in view 1 proceeded to Auckland where I was successful iu inducing the workers to resume work on the understanding that a conference would be held between their representatives and the employers in the industry for the purpose of discussing the workers’ claims. The result was that the men resumed work as requested aud the conference commenced at Parliament Buildings yesterday morning. Both sides were fully represented. “The workers put forward a number of matters that were in dispute, lut after discussion reduced them to two issues: A 40-hour week and an increase iu the hourly and piecework rates. “The representatives of the employers contended that matters had been submitted to the Court of Arbitration which after hearing the evidence had given its award and that it would be wrong in principle and they did not feel justified in agreeing to concede any higher rates during the currency of that award. “I pointed out that the award only fixed the irreducible minimum rates that could be paid iu each department ana did not prevent employers from increasing such rates if tney saw fit to do so. Nor did it prevent representatives of the unions from making representations to the employers to have those rates increased. 1 also pointed out that legislation, for which I was responsible during the last session of Parliament, was the subject of representations by various sections of employers after it had become law, in which they pointed out that certain provisions operated unfairly or unjustly to their particular industry. When I was convinced they were justified in the representations made, 1 immediately had it amended accordingly, and if it is right for the employers to make representations to i me after Acts of Parliament hav e been ! passed to have unjust provisions removed or amended, surely the workers are equally entitled to approach the employers for any alteration in certain provisions of the award. That can be done and has been done in the past without in any way reflecting upon the authority of the Arbitration Court. “As far back as 1916, when Sir William Herries was Minister for Labour, an award of the Arbitration Court was made for drivers, who, however, rebelled against certain of the provisions. Sir William Herries brought the parties together just as 1 have done on this occasion and asked them to agree to refer matters in dispute to Cabinet aud by a Cabinet minute substantial increases were made in the wages of the workers shortly after the award was made. I could quote a number of other instances where concessions have been granted by the employers on the recommendation of Ministers in order to improve the conditions of wages laid down in awards of the Arbitration Court. ‘‘The employers were unable to agree in this case to any increase in either the piecework or hourly rates, nor were they prepared to entertain the proposal for the reduction in hours of the work. Eventually 1 deemed it my duty as Minister of Labour to give some direction in the interests of industrial peace

and in justice to certain sections of workers. Without being unreasonable with the employers, 1 explained to the conference that only exceptional circumstances would warrant my following the 1916 precedent quoted, but that as such exceptional circumstances did appear now to exist, my direction was that the workers ou their part should hold in abeyauce till the expiry of the award iu Juno next their claims for a shorter working week aud for increased piecework rates, aud that the employers on their part should graut increased remuneration to hourly workers, particularly the lower-paid hourly workers. “I directed, further, that taking all the circumstances into consideration, both the employers and workers should accept it that the proposed increase to hourly workers is to take the form of a flat rate bonus of three pence per hour for all hours actually worked, in-

eluding overtime. Alter both parties had retired to confer separately, an agreement was entered into embodying the terms of my directions. The agreement was signed by three representatives of each side and its terms are appended. •‘Although at times the conference appeared to have reached a deadlock, the proceedings throughout were friendly, and I very highly appreciate the attitude of both parties towards H*u. Lee Martin and myself as Government representatives. The conference concluded with a vote of thanks from both sides to my colleague aud myself. ‘ ‘ The terms of the agreement are as follows: The Miuister of Labour having directed that the rates of remuneration to hourly workers employed under the terms of the New Zealand’ freezing workers’ award be increased, it is hereby agreed that we accede to the Minister’s direction and that, as from the Ist day of January, 1937, a bonus of three-pence per hour shall be paid to all workers who are employed on an hourly basis, in addition to the rates prescribed by section 2of the above award. Btich bonus shall be paid for all time actually worked. The rate of bonus paid in re. peet of overtime Shall be three-pence per hour as in tho case of ordinary lime.’ *