ENGINEER WORKERS' DEMANDS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2201, 14 July 1914, Page 9

ENGINEER WORKERS' DEMANDS

ON "A LANGUISHING TRADE"

PARTIES AT CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Tho application of the Wellington Engineers'. Industrial Union of Workers for a new award came before- a sitting of tho Conciliation Council yesterday. Mr. P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, presided. The assessors were: For the employers, Messrs. Wm. Cable, Wm. Orabtree, and D. Robertson; for the employees, Messrs. J. H. Taylor, H. N. Scoggs and J. W. Watson. 'Mr. W. A. W. Grenfell appeared as agent for tho employers, ancl Air. S. J. Elson for the employees. Mr. H. F. Allen appeared for the Ironfoundors' Association. The principal items in the demands of the union have previously been published in The Dominion. The, counter proposals of the employers were practically the old award, with tthe deletion of three clauses and minor alterations. Commissioner Objects to List, Mr. Eobe'rtson asked that such firms as employed a solitary mechanic should bo exempted from' the award. Such men were only handy men, who took: up odd jobs round the establishment wherein they were employed. Mr. Elson objected, and said that no ■ matter where one of the members of their union was employed it was only fair that he should havo the benefits of the award. Mr. Hally said that tho list of employers as compiled by the union was ithe worst ho had ever had to deal with in the city. "I will strike out a good many of the names quoted 1 . If tho union objects to this' they have their remedy." • I this stage Mr. Cable inquired if the unions assessors were qualified to be present. : Mr. Elson: They have been accepted by tho Commissioner. , Mr. Hally: That is so. _. LaW it.was stated that the union's 'assessors were men employed in the Petone .Workshops. Mr.. Cable protested at this. These men, he said, had no right to act as assessors, as tho Petone. Workshops, being a Government 'concern, had not been cited. "A Languishing Trade." On the request of Mr. Hally, Mr.' Elson then proceeded to .-state the case for the union. > The demands .had now been heard before the council in Auckland, Christehurch, and Dunedin,, but each time had been referred to the Arbitration Court.' The.union was desirous of coming to' a settlement before the council >and the speaker was sure they would settle satisfactorily if they obtained terms acceptable to the union. Mr. Grenfell: I think it is the duty of the union-' to show cause why it should havo a new award. Mr. Elson: I think a fairly good causa is that we have had no increase for a good time. Mr. Grenfell:.Tho employers can say tho same thing in regard to their profits.. Mr. Cable (to Mr..Elson): The trado will not stand your demands. If it were prosperous we would take a different view of the matter. _ But the trade is languishing, and its profits have gone down to nil. You may laugh, but'it's/true, . .. i Mr. Allen proceeded to state the case on behalf of tho Iron-founders' Associa;tion'. "Yon will find," he said, "that ■many,of the limited in the trado paid no dividend last year. I-think these gentlemen should go to 'the "Court." '■■•'■. ■■,-•••• "TSlr, '■ Elson: "The /employers , always come, with "their ,minds made up that the • dismvtes : are not coing to bo settled.. . : Mr.•Grenfell: If there is any' point that can be settled here on the. lines of the present award it will save the time oi the Court. \ ; Mr. Elson: We don't know what the ..counter demands of the employers are.! Mr. Hally: They are practically the 6ame as tho old award. • '"."' Proceedings Adjourned.' ■ The council then -went into committee and sat till 1 o'clock. : No agreement was come to and it was decided to adjourn for a fortnight, the : parties to.. visit Napier and Wanganui in the 'meantime.' ' •