AUCKLAND PROTEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 November 1938, Page 5

AUCKLAND PROTEST

MOVE TO HAVE AWARD REVOKED. FEDERATION OF LABOUR ACTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. November 6. Drivers in the northern industrial district will go to work as usual tomorrow morning. About 700 men were present at a meeting in the trades hall this morning to determine their attitude toward the recently pronounced award, which gave them an increase of 5s a week, not the 10s they desire and a 44-hour week instead of 40. The issue was whether they should cease work tomorrow morning or adopt more constitutional methods. After deliberating for nearly three hours, it was decided to have the Federation of Labour confer with the Prime Minister about the possible revocation of the award. Members of the union executive refused to make, any statement. Independent inquiries were made and led to the conclusion that the Federation of Labour will seek a conference with Mr Savage. It will be emphasised to Mr Savage that the men consider the wages rates are inadequate and that there is ample precedent for the Arbitration Court to grant drivers a weekly working period of 40 hours.

It was gathered also that the Federation representatives will ask the Prime Minister to take appropriate steps towards having the award revoked, since the drivers allege that it does not make allowances for working conditions and the cost of living.

The meeting today was addressed by a representative of the national organisation, which has its headquarters in Wellington, and by members of the Auckland District Council of the federation.