WORK ON SUPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 119, 23 May 1938, Page 11

WORK ON SUPS.

TUNNELLERS' CLAIM. » ■ ■ QUESTION OF PAYMENT. CASE TO BE STATED. (By Telegraph.—O.vn Correspondent.) GISBORXE, this day. Claiming that while doing clearing work outside of a tunnel they should be paid approximately the same rate as while in the tunnel, tunncllers from Beach Camp, at Tikiwhata, on the East Coast railway, have selected a delegation of six of their members to travel to Wellington to state their case to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, or to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple. This tunnel is 46 chains in length, and about five weeks ago the ends were linked, being the first tunnel to "be completely pierced on the Gisborne end of the line. The present trouble has arisen out of the damage caused to the line by the recent floods. The interior of the tunnel is very wet, and the men, who work on a contract basis, were brought out to assist in clearing work on the line, the work consisting of the removal of 6lips from the line. The tunnellers contend that they should receive wages on an hourly scale comparable with that received in the tunnel, the sum of 5/ being thought to be a fair average. The men are reluctant to make a statement as to their claim, other than to say that they consider it a fair one. There has been no cessation of work as a result of the dispute, and it is thought that the delegation will charter a special 'plane to fly to Wellington to enable them to be back on the job as soon as possible. This tunnel is on© of three major tunnels being constructed between Gisborne and Wairoa, the two other large tunnels being at Waikoura, 72 chains in length, and between Waiau and Tikiwhata, 149 chains. It is expected that in those two jobs the work will be completed in about one and two years respectively. In addition there are four other smaller tunnels, but it is not known whether the same claim is being made at the other tunnels affected. The deputation is the outcome of a meeting of 150 men at Earl's Camp i about two weeks ago.