AN EIGHT HOURS STRIKE.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 228, 12 November 1887, Page 6

AN EIGHT HOURS STRIKE.

Tin: only matter of importance to record in connection with tho labour maiket is a disturbance which has occurred amongst a number of workmen employed on the construction of the B*wkesbury bridge. The construction of, tho Hawkesbury bridge is being carried on by the sub-contractors under the supervision of a leprcsentativc of the chief contractors, the Union Bridge Company of New York. Thec=c sub - contractors aie the two American firms of ttylnnd and Morse and Andeison and Barr, and the New South 'Wales firm of Louis Samuel and Co. The contract ot the labt-named i- for the building of the stone abutments of the bridge ; the contract of Mcssis Anderson and Bair is for putting down the cylinders ; and the contract ot Messis liyland and Morse is for the construction of tho upper poition of the blidge. Messrs Samuel and Co. were never in the dispute, ha\ing from the commencement of their contract only required their men towoikeurht hours. Andeison and Barr aviived from "America with their families and some half-dozen head men or overseers about 12 months ago, and at the veiy start began with 10 hours' woik. Kyland and Moif-c, who arri\ed in last March fiom New Yoi k, also bi ought their families w ith them, and several employees, and started work about six months ago, aho adopting tho 10hour piinciple. They employed about 60 men, and Anderson and Bai r about 40. Com plaint, however, was at once made about the long hours, accoiding to the men, and Poland and Morse explained that unless they worked the 10 horns at the beginning they -would be all behind with their contiact; but to pacify them told thorn that as toon as things veie a little noie forward they too, like Samuel and ('•)., would not want the men lo woik moic than eight hours. The men employe,! by the two films held a numbei of meetings and about a fortnight ago they made application to thvir respective employers to i educe the wort: hums, by two Both refused, and the men, acting in conceit, then went out on ptiikc. Anderson and Bur had to accede to the men's demand, but Ryland and Moi^e are well ahead with their work, and aic n )t pushed for woikmcn in the same way a* the other American film. Thc-tiike:- thus narrowed down to one out of the three thins a t woik on the bridge