LABOUR DEPARTMENT METHODS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 148, 17 March 1908, Page 4

LABOUR DEPARTMENT METHODS.

Sir,-—-I wish to draw the of tlio public to tho manner in winch unions are treated by, the Labour Department. I know of, instances :when a .anion has notified the DopartraeEt- ef what they consider a 'breach of their award, and after some delay an inspector cames along, saakes an enquiry, and ; reports to..his superior.. oScer, who in tiae notifies tho'union that-there is no', ease,' or'that it affected only, ono member of that particular union. I now refer to a ease which was reported that no sanitary accommodation was erectcd for the uso of tho workmen employed, on that . buildiiig. . Yet it:,was a'breach'of',that union's award. I refer ; to this case to show, that such a ease happened, and "an inspector, called" a'nd saw for' himself, yet no action was taken. An-, other, caso in point .was that a firm had mon in .their,' employ ffor-a less'nito ' than was allowed by'tho award/'/ Tho moh , worked for an under rate .of ..pay, which wasi a broach' of Award..' Tho; Department 'investigated tho easoi' aiid 'w.oro satisfied whon tho employor .paid.'iip .tho men's. back monoy. Why ; should the, Department . constitute thomsolve? , the'..tribunal: to say '.whether a broach had been 1 committed,"ornot? Tho onions .igiroi,''all - particulars ; ! to,-: the oflicora and iaspectors ■'with' reference;-'to alleged breaches;-, and.;they, should allow tho Court 'to deeido; and '.the, same... applies to employers," -who' should also receive fair and impartial treatment at the, Department's hands when- they consider members of unions hav® brnken theawnrda. There ia nothing like: publicity in these matters; As far.-as my ~eiperienca goes, deputations to the Minister of Labou'r do not soom to'havo "any effect- in 'remedying this-.oril. —l am, etc., •' . UNIONIST. March li.