THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 116, 9 February 1929, Page 11

THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY

CLAIM FOR NEW DOMINION AWARD BRINGING ALL BRANCHES TOGETHER BREAKDOWN AT OUTSET Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, February 8. A Dominion dispute in the engineering industry affecting the skilled branches, the iron and brass moulders, general engineers, and boilermakers, but not the labourers, came before the Conciliation Council to-day. It is the result of the one award embracing the whole industry instead of separate awards for branches. For the first time twelve assessors were allowed on each side. The number of assessors was increased on the suggestion of Mr. Justice Frazer, President .of the Arbitration Court. When the question of representation came up the employers appointed only nine assessors: Messrs. T. O. Bishop (Wellington), A. W. Beaven (Christchurch), J. Cable (Wellington), G. Gray (Dunedin), J. Black (Dunedin), S. E. Wright (Auckland), J. S. Dawes (Auckland), A. C. Mitchell (Wellington), and L. L. Cordery (Christchurch). The employees’ assessors were: Messrs. R. 11. Barter (Auckland), G. T. Thurston (Christchurch), A. Black (Wellington), T. G. Kilian (Dunedin), E. J. Donald (Auckland), G. V. Thomas (Auckland), C. W. Brettell (Wellington), P. E. Warner (Wellington), W. McConnell (Christchurch), A. J. Rico (Dunedin), J. Thomson (Dunedin), and J. Jonson (Christchurch). Mr. W. H. Hagger (Conciliation Commissioner) presided. The Demands. The demands of the N.Z. Federated Ironmasters’ Association were taken as the claim. The principal demands were for forty-seven hours a week, and for the following wages: (a) Iron and brass moulders, boilermakers, pattern makers, fitters, turners, gunsmiths, coppersmiths, toolmakers, universal grinders, die sinkers, brass finishers, brass polishers, universal milking machinists, millwrights, ( iron, ship and bridge builders, 2s. an hour; cupola furnace men, Is. lid.; planers, shapers, slotters, borers, and adult workers after three years’ experience of sash lift and grill work, Is. lOjd.; (b) Moulders while engaged in moulding for steel or in steel castings, 2s. Id.; coremakers who have served five years’ apprenticeship, 25.; machine moulding, Is. lid.; (c) journeymen on stock catalogue work, Is. IOJd.; (d) workers on oxyacetylene or electric welding, Is. to Is. 6d. a day extra; changemen, 2s. a day extra. The principal demands of the Amalgamated Engineering and Allied Trades Association of Workers in a counterclaim were for forty hours a week and the following wages; Patternmakers, £6 10s. a week; fitters, turners, turret, lathe turners, gunsmiths, blacksmiths, coppersmiths, toolmakers, universal grinders, die sinkers, brass finishers, electric .Platers, milling machinists, millwrights, planers, slotters, shapers and borers, polishers, locksmiths, £6 a week; blacksmiths on heavy work,, 2s. 6d. a day extra; workers on oxy-acetylene or electric welding, £6 a week and 2s. on. a day extra; chargemen, 2s. 6d. to os. a d#y extra. A Very Trying Time. Mr. T. O. Bishop, secretary of the Federated Ironmasters’ Association, said the employers wished to strengthen position of the industry, enabling it to develop, expand and flourish. ■ ,Tbey sought the employees’ co-operation , to-, wards that expansion. Mr. R. F. Barter said the employees regarded the proceedings as the most-im-portant that had come before the Conciliation Council. They realised the position of the industry, but believed that when the proceedings closed the friendship of the past, would continue. Better' wages and better , conditions stood for, greater efficiency. They were to do their utmost to ensure that every engineer, boilermaker and moulder should be fully employed;*’and met in a-spirit of conciliation. , ... Mr. A. C. Mitehell, president of the Ironmasters’ Federation, said during the past fev? years the industry had had a very trying time. The relations - between tiie parties were better to-day and of a higher standard than he. had ever known previously; but conditions bad arisen over which they had no control. If they improved industry to the extent of increasing employment they. snonN have achieved the purpose of their meeting. Businesses Running at a Loss. Mr. J. S. Dawes said that many firms were conducting their businesses at a After much discussion the Commissioner, Mr. W. H. Hagger, suggested that the old award of 44 hours, be adhered to. Mr. Barter, on behalf of the employees, asked for the insertion of a clause making it optional upon agreement between employer and employees to work a 44-hour week of five days without work on SaturThe ironmasters' assessors stated that they were not prepared to accept the old award. The employees' assessors said they were prepared to accept the old award en bloc. If this were not agreed to they would have to close the discussion as proceedings had reached a state of impasse. Mr. E. T. Thurston made an appeal ror further consideration. He suggested that the employers retire and come to the council again on Saturday or Monday at tne Barter also regretted tho stand that had been taken. To Meet Again. The Commissioner interposed with a suggestion that the council should meet again on Saturday morning, and that meanwhile the employers should attempt to reach a decision. , _ ' Mr., Bishop said that he was sorry for tne deadlock. They would present a sorry spectacle to the people of New Zealand it, as representatives of an Important.industry, they could not get beyond the nrst clauses of an award. New Zealand nan now had a degree of industrial peace beyond any other country. It was better to settle the dispute themselves rather than in the Arbitration Court. Mr. Mitchell likewise expressed regret at the breakdown In negotiations. He was grateful for the suggestion of Mr. Barter and Mr. Thurston. Meanwhile the employers would try to separate the demands of the various Interests. If after sitting on Friday night they should reach a decision they would be glad to reopen tne discussion on Saturday.