WHARF LABOURERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 187, 9 August 1930, Page 10

WHARF LABOURERS.

DISPUTE IN WELLINGTON.

SPECIAL AWARD PROPOSED

ARBITRATION COURT'S VIEW.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day,

Although wharf labourers employed by the Wellington Harbour Board have not hitherto worked under provisions of an award, they are to do so in the near future. Special provisions have been decided upon, which will enable them to come under the scope of the Builders and General Labourers' Award. This is the outcome of a case heard in the Arbitration Court, when the union made application for a separate award covering the work done by wharf labourers. Mr. P. M. Butler, for the union, said a peculiar position had arisen between Ihe union and the Harbour Board. If it had not been for the existence of the Arbitration Act a very serious position might have come about. The Harbour Board had taken up the stand of ignoring the union entirely, and the board had declined to appear at a conciliation council. Ultimately, the case had come before the Arbitration Court. The men affected by the application, said Mr. Butler, were engaged in road work, tipping work and peculiar construction work. None of this could be brought under any existing award. Mr. W. J. Mountjoy, for the employers, said the union had failed to prove that the employees of the Harbour Boai - d were not working under as favourable conditions as those under labourers' awards. Mr. Justice Frazer: Any organisation has a right to apply for a new award. It is just a question whether the workers could not come under an existing award. After hearing evidence ,his Honor said the Court was not of one mind as to the course to take. The opinion of the majority Was that the Harbour Board should be a party to the award, and the parties should confer and frame special provisions to meet special conditions, including the rates of wages. Arrangements were made with counsel for a conference to determine the special provisions.