AGAINST WOMEN WORKERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 983, 28 May 1930, Page 13

AGAINST WOMEN WORKERS

ENGINEERS PROTEST WILL CAUSE UNEMPLOYMENT Considering that the introduction of female labour in the manufacturing sections of the engineering industry, as suggested by the Ironmasters* Association, would lead to still further unemployment. a meeting of the Amalgamated Engineers and Allied Trades* Union last evening passed a strong resolution of protest. It was pointed out that there arc now 130 turners and fitters unemployed in Auckland, and that the suggestion of the employers would tend to aggra - vate the position. Women were to be employed in skilled positions at wages lower than those paid to men for the same work. The application to amend the engineering award to make this possible is to be heard in Christchurch before Mr. Justice Frazer on June 18. A combined conference of the Amalgamated Engineers and Allied Trades’ Federation, the Boilermakers’ Federation, and the Moulders’ Federation, will be held in Christchurch during the week-end to discuss the pcs - tion. RESOLUTIONS PASSED The following resolutions were — “That this union strongly protests against the action of the Arbitration Court in granting employers the right to make application to amend the engineering award, which was made for two years, and has been in operation for only six months; that this union protests against the action of the Irjnmasters’ Federation in attempting to introduce female labour into the engineering industry, which is entirely unsuited from health considerations alone to the future mothers of New Zealand:

and that this union will assist the Amalgamated Engineers and Allied Trades’ Federation in any steps taken to combat the introduction of female labour into the industry.” Copies of the resolutions will be sent to the Minister of Labour, the Hon. W. A. Veitch; to the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland: and to the workers’ representative on the Arbitration Court. Mr. A. L. Monteith.

Resolutions objecting to the action of a deputation of business men to the Auckland Transport Board, in representing that they expressed the opinions of the workers of the city, were passed. The meeting urged the necessity for speeding up the tram service to enable the worker to reach his home, or place of employment with as little delay as possible. It was also suggested that the Transport Board should endeavour to build its own tramcars. and that as much structural work as possible should be done in New Zealand rather than abroad.