WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 18851, 17 June 1920, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

MELBOURNE GAS WORKERS’ STRIKE. CABINET INTERVENTION REFUSED. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, June 16. It is estimated that 20,000 people are idle through the strike, though there arc only 2000 actual strikers. The decision of the employers to act unitedly has resulted in a hardening tendency, minimising any gleam of hope of a compromise. A strikers’ deputation to the Premier accused the latter of taking sides with the employers. Mr Lawson denied the impeachment, insisting that he had only endeavoured to keep the public building? going. The Cabinet refused to intervene in the dispute, asserting that the principle of deciding induslriiil disputes was at stake; therefore the matter should be determined by the Court A SERIOUS EXTENSION. MANUFACTURING GROCERS ON STRIKE. MELBOURNE, June 16. ( Received June 17, 12.5 a.m.) A serious extension of the strike affecting food supplies is reported, manufacturing grocers ceasing work at all establishments where “black” power is used. There are now 20,000 people idle, and the city is suffering from a serious fuel shortage. SEA-GOING WIRELESS OPERATORS. STRIKE FOR HIGHER PAY. LONDON, June 15. (Received June 16, 5.3 p.m.) Sea-going wireless operators have struck for an increase in wages to £7 per week. AFFAIRS IN MEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND GAS WORKERS' DEMANDS. NO FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 16. No furth"i' developments have occurred in connect ion with the decision of the Gas Employees’ Union to take “extreme action” to enforce (heir claims. The manager of the Gas Company stated to-night (hat in reply to the secretary of the union, who* asked for reconsideration of the men’s demands, he had slated that the matter would be laid before a meeting of the board of directors next Monday. Owing to the absence of some of the members no full meeting of the hoard could be licit! before then. THE LEGAL POSITION. AN I UNEXPIRED AGREEMENT. WELLINGTON, June 16. With reference to the telegram from Auckland concerning the gas dispute, Mr E. W. Rowley, secretary of the Labour Department, stated to-day in an interview that the union in question had entered into an agreement with the Gas Company under (he Labour Disputes 'lnvestigation Act, which agreement had currency until June. 1921. lie had telegraphed to the union pointing out this fact, and the provision under the Act. and also under the public utilities clause.? of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, DOS, for penalties for striking, and advi?ing careful consideration before taking action. THE TYPOGRAPHICAL AWARD. WELLINGTON. June 16. A telegram from Christchurch mentioned an application by ihe Typographical Association for an amendment of the dominion award. It is pointed out that the application was not by the Association but by the Canterbury section of related (printing i trades, a local matter that has nothing to do with the Associal ion, which lately arrived at a part ial set l lenient of their dispute with the employers. BOOT TRADE AWARD. AtTI.IGATION FOR VARIATION. GIIRISTGULRCJI, Juno 14. The Arbitration Court to-day heard an application for amendment of the dominion male and female boo! operatives award? of October. 19 IS. In the ease of male operative?, the Court was asked to grant the basic wage lixeil for skilled workers of 2s an hour, together with a bonus of 3d an mi:-. ! ;I,- female operatives of four years’ experien-e and upward?, (be court was r.skt u to fix a wage of £2 Ms per week, with £2 17s (id. per week for hot wax thread mechanics. !u addition the workers a.-ked for I tie bonuses of M and lid per hour granted this year by the Court. The ground.,? of the application were (ai the high standard of skill required; < b l the increased cost of living: <<■ > the unhealthy conditions of ibe work, and (cl), the Court’s recent pronouncement at Gisborne of its willingness to amend the basic wage of rif‘s uru!or c urront jiwiirrls.

Mr C. A. Watts, who appeared in support of the application, said that owing to the date of ratification of the two awards it had not been possible to apply earlier for the lie. -ic wave of skilled workers. Mr Watts final the increase? granted to various skilled workers between 1212 and 1919. These ranged from 5M to 7vd an hour, the bootmakers' increase in that period being 4d. In January, 192(1. the boot trade wage was raised to Is Sd an hour on account of the increased cost of living. He quoted a memorandum of Mr Justice Meydon, of the Commonwealth Arbitration Court as follow?: "Wo are of opinion that journeymen in the boot trade arc skilled workers, and should receive the wage of skilled workers to which they are fairly entitled.” F’or tlie employers- Mr Mufflebeck said it was nor reasonable to place bootmakers on the .same plane of skill a? plumber? and engineers. There should be re-classification in (he industry, and the employers were prepared to agree to this. The employers asked that the claim for a basic wage be deferred til! November next, when ihe term of the existing award expired. Brices in the boot and shop trade were falling, and retailer? were abstaining from buying. This was going to affect employment, and he was afraid they were going to face a period of depression. ' The Court reserved it.? decision.