Workers Object to Arbitration Judge

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 681, 5 June 1929, Page 1

Workers Object to Arbitration Judge

MOVEMENT FOR REMOVAL UNIONS CIRCULARISED Because most of the recent decisions of the Arbitration Court have been given against the workers, and in view of several recent happenings bearing upon the relationship between the worker and the court, a movement is on foot to ask for the removal of Mr. Justice Frazer from the court. rpHIS movement, -which is to be disA cussed at a specially convened meeting of trade union executives tomorrow evening, is dealt with in a circular sent to trade union executive members. I The document outlines the workers’ plea in the following terms: “The Arbitration Court has recently delivered two awards which call for the serious attention of trade unionists. These two awards not only contain provisions which are detrimental to the two unions involved, but will i be to the disadvantage of the whole Labour movement if an effective and immediate protest is not made. SKILLED WORKERS’ WAGES “With a view to discussing certain provisions in these two awards, and their significance toward the organised workers, you are invited to attend a meeting of trade union executives, to be held in the Trades Hall, Room G, top floor, on Thursday, June 6, at 7.45 p.m. “The principal anomalies in respect to these awards are the refusal of the court to increase wages by 2£d an hour to semi-skilled and skilled workers, in accordance with the cost of living figures, and the introduction of the shift system, which represents an an innovation, and in this case, means a reduction of £ 1 6s a week to the workers involved. “The court also refused to limit the calibre of pneumatic machines to prevent dust and vibration. MILK ROUNDSMEN “The court awarded milk roundsmen a seven-day week of unlimited hours, to the largest section of the union, and also refused to insert the ordinary overtime clause contained in most awards. The court has repeatedly refused to grant these workers a sixday week, in spite of our recognised 48-hour week of five and a-half days. “The general policy of the court in recent years calls for serious consideration, especially in view of the fact that the Arbitration Court has been endorsed by the majority of the trade unionists in New Zealand as a means of fixing wages and conditions. “The two unions responsible for calling this meeting have discussed these awards and their significance with respect to the whole movement, and are of the opinion that Mr. Justice Frazer is responsible for most of the adverse decisions, and should be removed as president of the court, as they consider he is not a fit and proper person to adjudicate on matters pertaining to the wages and conditions of the workers. POLICY OF COURT “In convening the meeting we wish it to be understood that the primary reason is to discuss the attitude of the court with respect to the welfare of trade unionists generally. It will, therefore, be understood that after a brief presentation of the facts with respect to these two awards, the meeting will be asked to discuss matters concerning the whole movement. “A resolution will be submitted calling on the whole industrial movement of New Zeaand to petition the Government to remove Mr. Justice Frazer from the Arbitration Court.” The circular is signed by Messrs. J. Dunlop (president), W. Vennall (secretary), Stonemasons’ Union; A. McGarry (president), J. Purtell (secretary), Dairy Employees’ Union.