Labourers Asked Not To Go To Lake

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30192, 25 July 1963, Page 12

Labourers Asked Not To Go To Lake

(Ntw Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 24. Until the New Zealand Labourers’ Federation, in conjunction with the Southland Labourers’ Union, had completed an agreement with the firm handling the Manapouri tailrace contract, prospective employees were strongly advised not to accept employment there, said the federation secretary (Mr P. M. Butler) today.

The contract wae in a most isolated part of the South Island, he said. The isolation of toe workers would be only second to that of those in Antarctica.

The problem of access was enormous. “Once on toe site, workers will have grave difficulty in finding means of exit,” said Mr Butler. There were other difficulties of hospital treatment medical attention, food supplies. emergency precautions. amenities and a hundred and one other problems not previously experienced in New Zealand.

“The successful tenderer has so far not communicated with us respecting toe terms and conditions under which the workers will be employed. We do not anticipate difficulties in negotiating terms of employment with the firm but would strongly

advise all prospective employees not to accept employment till an agreement is completed.” Mr Butler said the Labourers* Federation would resist any encroachment on its legal rights of union jurisdiction concerning the Manapouri tailrace contract The main section of the work came within the jurisdiction of his federation. Mr Butler said. The Employers' Federation has filed an application with the clerk of awards in the Supreme Court for the exception of the Manapouri tunnel contract from the General Labourers' Award, according to the Wellington reporter of “The Press ' This is toe first of probably 24 applications for award exemptions on the tunnel construction job so that one agreement can be negotiated for all employees with the Workers’ Union.

Mr J. D. Fogg, managing director of the Utah Construction Company, who left Wellington for Melbourne today, signed the application on behalf of the Utah company. the W. Williamson Construction Company, and Burnetts Motors, Ltd., which share in the £9.4 million contract.

The exemption is sought under secions of toe Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act dealing with the inclusion of several trades it one agreement to cover ;i particular undertaking and application for exempt :<n within one month of toe atari of an undertaking. About 350 workers are expected to be affected by tie proposed single award, and the application outlines the advantages foreseen in the operation of one award. These are: toe uniformity of conditions and the prevention of dissension because of differences in conditions, negotiations with one Union in toe case of disputes, flexibility in toe transfer of labour. and toe benefit of the experience of toe Workers’ Union in similar, unified operations.

After notice of toe sgpli. cation has been given tn all the parties associated with the General labourers' Award, an Arbitration Court fixture will be made to approve the application or to hear objections.

Workers in trades covered by 23 other aivards are expected to be affected by the proposal to seek one award.