DISMISSED WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1922, Page 4

DISMISSED WORKERS.

APPLICATION FOR REINSTATEMENT. RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL. DECISION OF COMMITTEE. A recommendation for the reinstatement of the three men who were dismissed from the New Plymouth,hydroelectric works because of their conviction in the Magistrate’s Court, is to be made to the Borough Council by the electric light committee. The men were convicted and fined for a breach of the ‘.borough by-laws, and, arising out of tbc visit of the borough inspector (Mr. R. Day) to the hydro-electric works for the purpose of identifying 1 the men concerned, two others were also dismissed on the grounds of alleged threatening 'behaviour to the inspector. . The question of the reinstatement of these men was deferred for consideration by the council at its meeting' on Monday night. The whole matter was discussed by the electric light committee last night, when a deputation comprising Mr. F. J. Lyons and Mr. J. Jemison, secretary and president respectively of the New Plymouth General Laborers' Union, waited on the committee to plead the ease of the dismissed men.

Mr. Lyons said that the men and the union considered that the discharged employees had. been unfairly treated, inasmuch as there was a clause in the award which said that any dispute which arose at the hydro works should be settled by the union and the borough officers. The* union had not been consulted in any way, and they considered that the council had treated the matter with a high hand. With Mr. Jemison, he had come to explain the position and ask the council to rescind the resolution dispensing with the services of the men. In the estimation of their fellow workers and the union the men were not guilty. The Mayor: You will have to explain why they pleaded guilty in the Court. Mr. Lyons said that the inspector had adopted’the plan of seeing the men before the prosecution had taken place, and was alleged to have said that if the men pleaded guilty ho would not be severe on them. The men, continued Mr. Lyons, had taken the inspector’s advice in a sporting’spirit and liad pleaded guilty. The men had then thought the matter* would be dropped. A.s far as he could gather, he understood a resolution had been passed by the council prior to the prosecution, that, if the men were convicted, dismissal would follow. He thought the men should have been given an opportunity of speaking for their bread and butter.

“Going into details,” Mr. Lyons®went, on, “these men admit that, technically, they committed these offerees. We do not consider that the men should be punished twice for the one offence. Mr. Day acted rightly in taking the men before the magistrate, but this aspect now follows, that if these men arc discharged they will have great difficulty in finding employment in their particular class of work.- These mon are good workers, and the union has never received any complaint with regard to them. Speaking for the union, wo have had no friction in connection with the hydro-electric works, and we feel grieved that the council should be the first to take action without giving the men or the union a chance of explaining.” Continuing, Mr. Lyons said he had promised, on behalf of the union, to . do all in his power to avoid any friction at the works, and therefore the union said that the council should at least consider that aspect of the position. He did not think it was good business to get rid of men of the dismissed men’s calibre without giving them a chance of explaining. Mr. Jemison said‘they asked the council to exercise clemency towards the men, and, if possible, to reinstate them. He was sure the council, by so doing, would meet the wishes of the men and of the community. Mr. Lyons asked if the council was taking up the attitude of dispensing with the services of any man who got into trouble, the Mayor replying that they took up the same attitude as a private contractor would take. They would not have a man who had been convicted in the Courts in their employ. If they were prepared, to guarantee that the men would not offend again he thought their case could be reconsidered. The guarantee was readily forthcoming, and the committee, sitting in camera, arrived at the decision stated.