Boilermakers Strike

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 280, 16 February 1928, Page 12

Boilermakers Strike

OBJECTIONS TO BONUS SYSTEM DOCKYARDS MAY CLOSE By Cable. —Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 10.45 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. As a protest against the introduction of the bonus system of payment at the Government dockyard at Walsh Island, the boilermakers have ceased work. The Trades Hall Council Disputes Committee has decided that ironworkers and machinists assisting boilermakers in the carriage shops, shipyards and bridge yards should be called upon to cease work immediately. A meeting of coach-makers employed at Walsh Island decided to support the boilermakers in their fight. / The acting-Premier, Mr. E. A. Buttenshaw, says that the Government will stand firm, and will insist on the retention of the bonus system. “Should the men go on strike,” he declared, “the dockyards will be closed

down, and immediate steps will be taken to dispose of the works as a State industrial undertaking.” He said that there were no men at present receiving less than the award rate, and the bonus system provided that the men could earn 50 per cent, above their award wages, if they completed a certain task set them. Mr. Buttenshaw said that the.policy of the Government was against State industrial undertakings. Last year this undertaking lost about £50,000. The management was instructed to make a strenuous effort to make it pay. Trades Hall officials characterise Mr. Buttenshaw’s threat to close down as Nationalist propaganda, and say, “We have heard that tale before.”—A. and N.Z.