MORE TROUBLE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 89, 21 May 1914, Page 2

MORE TROUBLE.

AT OTIRA TUNNEL: THE CONTRACT SYSTEM. Press Association. GEEYMOUTII, May 20. Hearing that there was trouble at the Bealey end of the Otira tunnel, an "Argus" reporter interviewed Mr H. T. Armstrong, secretary of the Workers' Union, as to the causes. The secretary gave the following account:— "Since M'Lean and .Sons gave, .up the contract for the Otira tunnel the Publie Works Department carried put the work on day labour, which, according to statements made by Ministers, has given satisfaction. They were satisfied with the progress made. About three weeks ago a notice was posted at the Bealey end, stating that according to instructions from the Minister, tunnel work would be done on contract from May 4. The men then held a meeting to discuss the position; and passed a resolution refusing to take contracts. They also sent a deputation to the engineer in charge, to explain their reasons for not taking ,the same. The engineer agreed to hold the contract back' for a fortnight,' and in the meantime \ they would try and arrange conditions and -prices that would be more satisfactory to the men. The depxrtation again met the engineer a-week:later, and informed him that they were instructed by the men to refuse to take work on contract. However, they discussed with him prices and conditions. .'. The .engineer then agreed to increase the prices, and put the tunnel in working order, to supply more tools, trucks, machines, and many other things considered necessary before- starting work v on "contract. The deputation then reported to a meeting of the men, but contract was again, refused by them. • ..;.,.■ - " The secretary then telegraphed to the Minister of Public Works protesting against the contract system, contending" that it would increase accidents, which already were far too numerous. The Minister's reply was to the effect that his engineer had reported that progress was unsatisfactory and that a change, to the coh : tracting system was necessary. The next move by the Department was to send Mr Cowing, who is in charge of the Bealey tend, to interview each man individually/ and put down the names. for and against contract. Some were told that if they did not take contract they would be locked out. i Others were told that iio one would know.how,they voted,-but the boss. had to know in every case.. Perhaps this is the kind of secret'ballot that Mr Massey is going to give us in the new v Bill.• "

i ' 'On ■ Sunclay^-las^ ; • the men ' hadi another meeting.'"Notwithstanding the: Objections to contract, .they agreed to take it sooner'thah'have trouble ,as sioon~as the conditions Agreed toby ,the Department , had.vbeeiu complied with. However, J;heDepartment -. has not kept its part of • the agreement, but instead has locked the men out and closed down the work. According to the industrial Disputes Act" passed last session, whether a union is registered under the Arbitration Act or not, fourteen days' notice must be given to. the Minister .of Labour of intention to strike, or. by the employer of intention to lock ?eut, •which- was riot/ done f by the; Department. It = will be interesting ndw to See" Whether the Public Works Depar tnfe^nt''will be. pi*6se f 6ttted : '.' for. a

breach of tlie Industrial Disputes Act. The men were willing to sfrart the contract as. soon as the Department comf plied with its part of the agreement; ! Another square deal for labour."