STRIKE AT STRHTFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1920, Page 3

STRIKE AT STRHTFORD.

COUNCIL EMPLOYEES DOWN TOOLS. TROUBLE OVER ENGINEER'S SALARY,(From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Feb. 17. Feelings of loyalty to the borough engineer, who, they alleged, was not being treated fairly by the Borough Council prompted the whole of the. Council's road staff to "down tools" this morning. The strike was entirely unexpected, and although the trouble has been simmering for some time, it was not until there was a hint dropped by Cr. Jackson at last night's meeting of the Council, that there was any indication that the men would take any action, and even then it .was not thought that they wonld go as far as they did. At tUe general purposes meeting of the Borough Council, a week ago, a rise of 2s a day was granted to the Council's road workmen, but two of the employees, the foreman and the engine-driver, were overlooked, and when last week's pay was handed out, they did not receive their increase. This lead to bad feeling amongst the men, and at last night's meeting of the Council, the matter wsb brought up by Cr. Jackson.

The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) stated that although he was not absolutely in favor of the increase, the position was that the Council would have to give in to the men, or else probably lose their services The Council thereupon granted the increase, bringing the wages of the foreman up to 17b 8d a day and that of the engine-driver to 17s a day. A PECULIAR POSITION. After this increase had been decided upon, Cr. Campbell Jackson brought up the question of increasing the salaries of the town clerk (Mr. P. Skoglund) and the engineer (Mr. T. D. Sullivan). He explained that the engineer was now placed in a. peculiar position, because, owing to the'increases granted to the workmen, he was receiving almost exactly the same as they were paid. The Mayor said that he would refuse to accept the motion at that meeting. He had promised that after March 1 all the salaries of the staff would be reviewed, and he would adhere to that decision. The recent rises to the Council's workmen had been granted because the men could not make ends meet on less than 15s a day—not because the work was any."harder now than it was formerly: With the. town clerk and the engineer, the position 'was different; they were able, to live on their salaries. The matter would, however, be reviewed at the next meeting. • In the course of the subsequent discussion it was stated that the engineer was receiving a salary of £27;") a "'year, and some of the workmen'under'him were being paid at the' rate of £274 a yearMr. Sullivan, speaking at the request of the councillors, said that he felt he could not face his men as their engineer, and at the same time, bo receiving practically the same amount in salary as they were paid in wages. Cr. Jackson endeavored to have the matter settled nt the meeting, hut the Mayor remained obdurate, and councillors, agreed to defer consideration of the question of Salaries until the following meeting.

WORKMEN DOWN TOOLS.

This morning the workmen decided to take, a hand in the matter, and with the object of forcing the Council's hands, they held a meeting before commencing work, and decided to strike until such time as the Council increased the engineer's salary. Regarding iheir own wages they had no grievance; their only grievance against the Council was that it had decided not to consider the question of salaries. ~W. Sullivah, when he arrived on the scene, was informed of the men's decision, and he at once communicated the position! to the Mayor. The Mayor intervened with the object of obtaining a settlement, but the men remained firm and absolutely refused to do any work until Mr. Sullivan's salary had been increased. Realising tha't there was no other.course open to him, the Mayor decided to call a special meeting of the Counicl to discuss the situation. v COUNCIL" CALLED TOGETHER. The councillors were hurriedly culled together, and at 11 o'clock, when the meeting was held, there were present, the Mayor, arid Councillors Young, Stewart, Thompson, Lawson, Newton and Walsh. Councillors Hunter, Cameron and Jackson were unable to be presentThe Mayor explained his reason for calling the meeting. His personal opinion was that the Council should not allow the men to dictate terms to it. Replying to a question by the Mayor, Mr. Sullivan said he did not discuss th: question with the men. _ After further discussion, a deputation, representing the borough employees, came into the room. Mr. Riiss, the spokesman, said that the men had taken the action themselves, and accepted the full. responsibility for going out on strike. He said they had fully made up their minds not to go back to work until Mr! Sullivan's salary was increased..

After Airthcr discussion, Cr. Newton expressed the, opinion that it was evident there was a traitor in the Council, and it was their duty to find out who le was.

Cr. Stewart said that the strike appeared to be a pre-arranged affair, Speaking to the deputation, the Mayor said that their aetion wns very wrong. Tt was not a question of ignoring the Council, but their aetion was affecting the while of the ratepayers. As fair j as he was concerned he was not pre-1 pared to give way to them. The deputation then withdrew. The Mayor then moved the following resolution: "That the men he informed that if they do not start work forthwith, the Council will refuse to re-em-plov them at all." Cr. Newton seconded the motion, which was carried. Cr. T.awson, in supporting the motion, said that Mr. Sullivan was in no way responsible for the men's action The motion was carried unanimously, j The deputation then returned -and the Council's decision was communicated to them. J -' ..■.!■ STRIKE SETTLED. At one o'clock, Cr. Jackson, who had not been present at the meeting, arrived back from New Plymouth, and he met the men and persuaded' them that it was in their own best interests to return to work. The men commenced working soon afterwards. MAYOR'S ACTION ENDORSED. Another special meeting of the Bcr*&b Q&b*l *s* J*M SWft svealaa. A»

the council were present excepting Or Cameron.

Cr. Jackson, who had been absent from the morning meeting, protested against certain remarks made by councillors at that meeting. He stated that councillors knew perfect! y well that there was likely to be trouble if the engineer's salary was not increased at once. After further discussion the action of the Mayor in calling the Council together and in dealing with the position in the way ho had done, was endorsed.

The Council further decided unanimously that, in future, any employee who "downed tools" without giving three da"ys' notice would be instantly dismissed.