BUILDING DISPUTE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 June 1939, Page 7

BUILDING DISPUTE

WELLINGTON HOLD-UP STATEMENT BY MEN. CRITICISM OF NEW AWARD. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. At the conclusion of the meeting of building trade workers who have ceased work on the Fletcher Construction Company’s State housing contracts on the Sunshine Estate and at Karori, the following statement was issued for publication: — “Arising from the unsatisfactory conditions on ithe housing work in Karori, all the men concerned decided to cease work yesterday afternoon. Apart from the conditions on this particular work, where the dispute has come to a head, it has been known for some time that there has been general discontent among building trades workers, particularly because of the amount of time lost through inclemency of weather and non-payment for statutory holidays. “Though this discontent has been evident for some time, the workers concerned have awaited the decisions of the Court of Arbitration in connection with the Dominion awards for carpenters and building trades labourers. These awards have now been issued. The respective unions feel that the awards have been issued against the weight of evidence and the statements submitted to th 6 Court, and that the men have had a rough deal. Various anomalies have been allowed to continue, and it is obvious that the Court has not given close attention to the important matters stressed by the advocates on behalf of the workers. “For instance, the ‘wet place’ clause in the labourers’ award provides that where men are working in more than an inch of water, slush, mud, or, wet concrete, they shall be provided with gumboots and shall receive an additional 6d a day. In the same respect the carpenters’ award provides that wherb workers are called upon to work in water two inches or more in depth, the employers shall provide such workers with proper gumboots or shall pay them 3d an hour extra. These are the respective provisions, though labourers and carpenters may be working together. “The Court has also refused to make provision for payment for statutory holidays for these workers. This nonpayment causes considerable hardship and has been resented for many years. “We are not aiming to harass the Government in its housing policy, and if the dispute is not settled it will possibly affect other builders,” said Mr Butler. “It is just an accident that the dispute has come to a head on a State housing contract.” It is understood that about 70 houses ■in course of construction in Karori are concerned in the hold-up. All the men involved are governed by awards providing for a normal working week of five days, from Monday to Friday.

POSITION IN DUNEDIN , ACTION THOUGHT UNLIKELY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN. June 16. Commenting on the building trade position in Wellington, the secretary of the Dunedin Carpenters’ Union. Mr R. C. Ross, stated that his executive had not yet discussed the matter. “I think it unlikely that any action will be taken in Dunedin,” Mr Ross said. “Though, of course, I cannot make any definite statement till my executive meets and is able to discuss the position with a full knowledge of the facts.” Mr Ross added that the local union was definitely dissatisfied with the new award, and also with the existing practice of transporting men to the State housing scheme in trucks. “They are like sheep going to the saleyards,” he added.