BLACKBALLED THROUGH THE STRIKE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 84, 15 May 1914, Page 9

BLACKBALLED THROUGH THE STRIKE.

UNFORTUNATE PLASTERER. Press Association. AUCKLAND, May J4. . An extraordinary strike seems likely to hang up proceedings on the new Boys' Grammar School, which is being built by Mr W. E. Hutchinson at Mount Eden. The new building is in briek, and is to cost £31,450. It will be one of the biggest brick constructions undertaken in Auckland for some time, and the bricklayers, engaged on the job were faced with the prospect of continuous employment for the next twelve months. Then along ! came a strike. From what can be gathered the present trouble is the outcome of the big strike of 1913. One of the men employed is a bricklayer, and on that occasion he went on strike with his brother bricklayers. He happened to be not only a bricklayer but a firstclass plasterer. The plasterers did not join in the strike. This man had a wife and family, and decided to take work which offered as a plasterer.; A strike picket interviewed him, and the man declared at the time that he had no idea of resuming work as a bricklayer but as a plasterer. He had not been asked by the Plasterers' Union to go on strike. The Bricklayers' Union, however, deeided to blackball the mail.

The next move in the game came early this week. There were twelve bricklayers at work on the job at Mount Eden. The man in question was put on and worked for two days. Then a demand was made that he should be treated as "black" and be dismissed. Mr Hutchinson declined to obey this mandate, and the men at work atcordingly laid down their tools. Tour men have since been put on, but the work has only just been commenced, and 17 men at least are needed.

'' Our position is an unfortunate one," said a member of the firm. "We are given to understand that the-whole job has now been blackballed. We have just completed the foundations and over a million bricks will have to be laid. There is twelve months' work ahead for 20 men. It is a £31,000 job, and has to be finished in contract time. The Builders' Association has taken our case up and the Labour Department is also moving in the matter."