MEN TO RESUME WORK

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22182, 27 August 1937, Page 12

MEN TO RESUME WORK

CARPENTERS' DISPUTE AT AUCKLAND

WAGES TO BE DISCUSSED At

CONFERENCE

(PEZSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND. August 26. Having ceased work last Friday because of a dispute over the hourly fate of wages, carpenters employed on the erection of State houses at Orakei will resume on Monday, tt has been arranged by the men and the employers to call a conference of assessors within a week after the Arbitration Court's pronouncement on standard wages with a view to effecting a permanent settlement. The men are stated to have been given to understand that any increase will be operative from the time of the Court's decision. Arr agreetrie'rit to return to work was made at a meeting of men in the Trades Hall. There were several speakers, including Mr W. J. L£on ; M.P., Mr" J. McLagerij presideiit of the Federation of Labour, and Mr F. ish, secretary of the federation. The general conference was followed by a meeting Of delegates in the afternodh, when a statement was issued by Mr J. G. kerinerley. secretary of the Carpenters' and Joiners' Union* dh behalf of the men at. Orakei. Mr Kennerley said that after a full discussion and consideration of the matters in dispute oh the Orakei job and the general conditions of the carpenters' award a fully attended arid representative meeting Of the rrifen decided to resume ori Monday*

An important feature in making a settlement possible was the assurance that arrangements would be made to hold an early conference between union representatives and the Builders' Association to discuss wages and other conditions after the pronouncement of the Arbitration Court ori the basic wage for ski'led workers. "Any agreement reached at this conference on the matter of wages will b£ given immediate effect to, and will give an increase of wages .to all carpenters throughout the Dominion," Mr Kennerley continued. "As the Orakei men feel this will achieve their object as it concerned their own particular job. they agreed to resume work. It has been given to iis to understand that the payment of any increase after the court's pronouncement would be made . from the date of the announcement."

BeyOrid expressing gratification at a settlement having been reached, Mr William Fletcher, director of the Fletch&r Construction Company, Ltd.. declined to comment on the terms that had been arranged, when interviewed to-hight.