AUCKLAND GAS STRIKE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 December 1943, Page 3

AUCKLAND GAS STRIKE

MEN AGREE TO RETURN TO WORK ’PENDING INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. December 22. After a two-day strike the employees of the Auckland Gas Company agreed to return to work this morning pending an investigation of their claims. It was good news for the sorely-tried city, which, with the exception of parts of North Shore, has been without gas since Monday night. There is now every possibility that housewives will have a supply sufficient to cook tomorrow evening’s meal. Information concerning this prospect will be broadcast. The strike declared on Monday morning without a secret ballot and when the men met this morning they decided practically unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Auckland Trades Council to resume work. The Union is asking for an all-round increase of 3d an hour, or alternatively that the Government should take over the works and operate them on a co-operative basis. It is understood that the men were informed that the Government would not enter into negotiation with the men unless they returned to their tasks.

In announcing the decision of the men, Mr F. Craig, president of the Auckland Trades Council of the Federation of Labour, to which the union had referred the dispute, stated that a deputation would leave to interview the Prime Minister and members of Cabinet with regard to all matters in connection with the gas works.