West Arm Workers Claim Coercion

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30533, 31 August 1964, Page 1

West Arm Workers Claim Coercion

■ (N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright) INVERCARGILL, August 30. A claim that Morrison-Downer-Fletcher, contractors for the Manapouri power scheme access tunnel, were trying to force the men to stop the strike at West Arm by “coercion,” was made today by a spokesman for the West Arm workers’ committee.

Work at West Arm, Lake Manapouri, was still at a standstill today after the sudden strike on Friday by the 140 men employed at the access tunnel. The men met today to discuss charges for food and coal at the camp. They “definitely” decided not to go back to work. The Department of Labour may be called in to settle the strike. The Federation of Labour has not decided to take any action yet in this strike. The Secretary (Mr K. McL. Baxter) said this evening that there were no plans for a meeting. Workers at West Arm this morning discussed the strike, and charges which they say will be made for food and coal. In a statement issued this

evening, the West Arm workers committee said that the power to end the stoppage was in the hands of the contractors.

“Events up to the present time have demonstrated that the men on the site have been more than tolerant in the face of the domineering and unreasonable attitude of the management in respect of the industrial disputes that have arisen on this project since its inception eight months ago,” said the statement. The committee spokesman said the strike could only be resolved by direct negotiations betwen representatives of the contractors and the committee. The spokesman said the employers had posted notices in the West Arm camp advising the men that as from Monday all men, except the few on essential services, will be charged 7s 7d a meal. No more coal will.be supplied to

the men and credit has been stopped at the canteen. He said the workers’ committee felt this move on the part of the management was the beginning of “the implementation of a policy to force the men back to work by coercion, rather than by the media of arbitration and conciliation.

“We also feel that management is aware of the stringent circumstances of many of the personnel on the site, especially married men. “The job committee is assisting those with financial and family commitments.” The statement concluded: “The committee would like to point out that the workers at West Arm are withholding their labour from the employers. Thus they feel that the stoppage can be resolved only by direct negotiations between representatives of the employers and the job committee.”