SKILL REQUIRED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 135, 21 March 1939, Page 3

SKILL REQUIRED

MANIPULATION OF A SHOVEL. LABOURERS DEMAND AWARD. (Per Press Association), WELLINGTON, March 20. “To long have we been the economic fulcrum and we are tired of it. We submit that we are entitled to a definite place in society and that our wages should he based on the services we give,” said Mr P. M. Butler, advocate for the workers in the Court of Arbitration to-day, in asking that builders’ labourers and general labourers should be freed from the position of being accepted as the lowest-paid workers, with their rates being the base from which all other wages were computed. Weekly wages were sought .by Mr Butler, as against the hourly basis at present. The dispute is being taken in conjunction with that of the carpenters and joiners and plumbers, five days having been set aside for the hearing. The wages classification and suburban and country work were the major matters in dispute. “The work of the labourer is of importance to the country,” said Mr Butler. “There is distinct skill and knowledge required for the efficient manipulation of a shovel, and, furthermore, each job required a different application of this'simple tool. There is no justification of the sneers at the shovel or the navvy. Both have given use in. all parts of the world—good roads* railways and other essential services. Their worth has not been fully recognised and we ask that these Avorkers be given an adequate wage.” It was the first occasion on which a Dominion award had been sought for builders’ and general labourers, said Mr Butler. It would mean that the lieAv award would replace 11 separate awards and should lead to •beneficial results by establishing uniformity in award conditions.