CO-OPERATIVE WORKERS -DISSATISFIED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13877, 1 February 1909, Page 5

CO-OPERATIVE WORKERS -DISSATISFIED.

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 31. The alleged delay in paying co-opera-tive workers on the Railway works at Domett was discussed at a, mass meeting of the men on Thursday, Several speakers pointed out that a large bod?' of men had to wait, from October 6 to November 17 and that four men had to wait from the third week in September until November 1/ for their wages, and that work performed since December 12 would not be p ¥ d until some time in February. It was also stated that when work was stopped at Christchurch the Government held ten days' pay in hand, which wojild not be forthcoming till February Throwing motion was agreed to, 'That in view of the shabby and contemptible way in which co-operative workers are treated on the Domett railway extension works, the time has now arrived when it is absolutely necessary to form ourselves into a union in order to protect our interests." In supporting the motion it .was stated that the, average wage earned on the line was rmo siitficient for a married man to live on, and the branding of the tents with a large hr^ad arrow made the encampment look more like a camp, of convicts than of free men. The workers wer forced to sign contracts practically at the point of the bayonet without bemr PllowprT a voirp" in fixing prices, nuri the officials' amended or canceled these contracts without consulting the

men. Strong ' exception' wag }taken to compulsory holidays, and to the fact . that the men had to remain idle m tents at Christmas for twelve day* without receiving any wages. Forty men -joined the union..