LABORERS' WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1919, Page 6

LABORERS' WAGES.

BOROUGH EMPLOYEES CEASE WORK A MISUNDERSTANDING. Principally through a misunderstanding between the parties, there was something in the nature of a strike in New Plymouth on Saturday morning, the general laborers in the employ of the Council refusing to start work. The cause of the trouble was an application by the Union for an increase in the men's pay from 12s and 13s per -day to 13s and 14s per day. This was applied for on October 13th, and when the matter came before the Council the question of discrimination between the men was raised. The decision was, therefore, held up pending consideration of this point with the Union officials. This conference was agreed to by the men, but in the matter of actually getting the time of the con-ference-fixed there appears to have been some miscarriage. The Borough sent a message to the men on Friday last that the Council was prepared to meet them on the following Tuesday, to discuss the question, but by some means or other this information was not conveyed to the proper authorities, or when they did get it, it was somewhat misconstrued. The Council also indicated that if increases in pay were conceded they would be dated as from the last pay aay. The Union officials stated definitely that had such a hiessnge reached them there would hava been no trouble. However, the men, thinking they were being unfairly treated in not having the matter attended to with more expedition, took things into their own hands, and without the sanction of the ynion, informed the Borough Engineer that there would be no work done until the matter was settled, and in consequence they did not commence work on Saturday morning. Subsequently a conference was held between the Council and the president and secretary of the General Labourers' Union at mid-day, when the Coimcil offered the men the increase asked for | (which it was intended to offer them on Tuesday next), with provision for underrate workers. The Council also agreed to date the increases from November Ist. This proposal was submitted to a! meeting of the Union oh Saturday afternoon, and after due consideration was accepted. The men will, therefore, return to work as usual this morning.