PUBLIC WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 147, 22 June 1923, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS.

PAY AND CONDITIONS. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. (Bj Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. A conference between representatives of the New Zealand Workers' Union and the '.Minister of Public Works and departmental oilicers was held to-day to discuss proposals for a new agreement covering men employed on various public works undertakings throughout tiie Dominion. In explaining the proposals on behalf of the men, Mr. Grayndler, secretary ot the >*e'.v Zealand Workers' Union, stated it was desired that an improvement should be obtained in the conditions prevailing. It was asked that trie pfcent interim rates of pay be revised to the extent of a 10 per cent increase added to the wages of all sections, and that all men working in tunnels (with the exception of shift bosses and gangers) be placed on the same scale ot wages, and that all men working in quarries (except hammer and drill men) he paid tbe same wage. Hammer and drill men, it was suggested, should be paid 1/ a day extra. TUe schedule should include blacksmiths, carpenters, riveters, motor-lorry drivers, enginedrivers, firemen, cleaners, guards, fitters, stationary engine cleaners, pump attendants, all of whom should receive 10 per cent increase on the minimum rates provided, in the various industrial awards which, cover these classes ot ■workers. For men working in wet places tne union wanted the weekly hours reduced from 47 to 44. Instead" of time and a-quarier it was proposed that overtime should ie paid for at the rate of time and a-aalf, and that weekly wage workers be paid overtime for all work done over and above the ordinary working day. Ten minutes each morning and ifiernoon was asked for "smokos,""sucti time to be paid for. A3 Territorials tare to comply with the Military Tramin' Act, it was requested these men siould be paid for all time occupied in attending drills. Various minor additions to existing conditions were pressed by Mr. Grayndler, who urged that the provision of the 1919 agreement, with respect to kit accommodation, should be re-estab-lished, that bathing conveniences should be provided, and also separate conveniences for each family. The union was prepared to take full responsibility for the care and control of hutment* erected by the Department for its employees, "it also asked that the relief system be abolished. The system de based men to the lowest rung on the human ladder of starvation. It was a fact that men so employed found it impossible to earn sufficient to do more than maintain themselves, their wives and children in miserable existence..