MEN DISMISSED BY BUILDERS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25732, 18 February 1949, Page 6

MEN DISMISSED BY BUILDERS

Auckland Carpenters NO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. Many Auckland building contractors at midday tc-day served dismissal notices on their carpenters. Similar action was taken at intervals throughout the afternoon by others, in conformity with the decision of the Master Builders’ Association to dismiss all carpenters if their union refused to abandon its go-slow policy. The association claims that its members advised to-day tnat they are giving its decision their unanimous support. Other workers in the building trade will continue their employment, but it may not be possible to find work for them for more than a fortnight if the carpenters stay out. At this stage, a major industrial dispute seems unavoidable. Two thousand carpenters and joiners in the Auckland metropolitan area will be unemployed to-morrow. Building operations, particularly on State houses, will be practically at a standstill. Although the Master Builders’ Association has appealed to the Government for its support in resisting the demands of the union and upholding the law, the Government has not yet intervened. An unofficial approach was also 'made to the Minister of Labour (Mt A. McLagan). “An All-out Fight” Both sides stand firm by their declarations of policy, while homeseekers and those awaiting State houses anxiously await the outcome. Employers are watching the trial of strength as closely as trade union organisations. “This is an all-out fight,” said one Auckland builder. “The master builders are the first group of employers to make an uncompromising stand against union demands.”

Other employers’ organisations are supporting the master builders, and the more militant sections of the trades union movement are aligning themselves with the carpenters. Although the Carpenters’ Union was determined to defy the Arbitration Court and press its demands illegally, the builders, with all other employers, were emphatic that the Court’s decision should be upheld, said a statement by the Auckland Master Builders’ Association to-day. Practically every member of the association and every other builder in Auckland and South Auckland had advised that they were 100 per cent, behind the association, and would implement its decision to the full. Lock-out Charge Denied The union had said the employers were creating a lock-out, said the statement. This was not the case. Jobs would remain open to all building tradesmen, except members of the Carpenters’ Union. Builders and joinery manufacturers were extremely sorry to have to dismiss their carpenters and joiners, said a further statement issued to-night by the Master Builders’ Association. It was hard enough for every one of them, but it was especially so for many who had dismissed employees of up to 30 years’ standing. It was a matter of great regret that, in the three days’ notice given, the union had failed to realise the determination of the builders to uphold the industrial law and to protect the public and the Government from the domination of pressure groups. The tide of public feeling against the repeated flouting of Arbitration Court decisions when they did not happen to suit one party could be gauged from the overwhelming support given to the association’s policy by both members and non-members in carrying out what they regarded as a most unpleasant but unfortunately necessary duty. The statement said that the loyal co-operation of all builders, joinery manufacturers and other employers was most gratifying, and proved conclusively that the association’s decision was the only possible and honourable one to meet insidious and dishonest go-slow tactics. Employers who were not directly affected were particularly requested to honour the 'recommendation of their trade associations and to refuse to employ the labour which became available” as a result of the dispute in any capacity whatever. Employment of Men Dismissed The statement said that builders and other employers throughout the province were also urged not to engage unemployed carpenters who might find their way into their district. Rumours that there were employers willing to engage carpenters had been investigated, and without exception had been found to be completely unfounded. Carpenters would be employed tomorrow on a few jobs for very good reasons which had been accepted by the association, it was stated, but they would in every case finish during the day. It was known for certain that between 1200 and 1500 carpenters and joiners were dismissed to-day. but only about a quarter of the confirmed reports awaited had been received tonight Carpentry trade trainees under a two years’ contract of service with the Rehabilitation Department are not involved in the dispute, though they are members of the Carpenters’ Union. Normally, after four months’ instruction, they go out under an instructor to undertake the building of State houses. There are 467 trainees in Auckland, Whangarei/ and Kaikohe. Of these, 249 are extension trainees (in their second year). They are building State houses at Tamaki Bayswater, Birkenhead, WhangareL and Kaikohe.