TAWA FLAT HOLD-UP

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 184, 2 May 1931, Page 9

TAWA FLAT HOLD-UP

Tunnellers’ Opposition CUT NOT ENTERTAINED Unanimous in their refusal to entertain the price offered by the Public Works Department, the Tawa Flat tunnellers, at a meeting yesterday, morning, reaffirmed their former offer to man the jobs at 16/- a shift, at the pleasure of the Government, or until such time as an agreement can be arrived at for a piecework rate. The hold-up, therefore, continues. ; The men still consider the Government's offer “a ridiculous one,” and that their proposed reductions are out of proportion, and such as would not be attempted un der any consideration by private employers. The termination of their contracts were carried out in an arbitrary manner they said, and the attempt to force the men to . accept wage reductions of 40 per cent; to 70 per cent, without consultation .was equally so. Taking into consideration the enormous cost to the taxpayer of keeping the jobs idle,, the tunnellers say they have offered several times to work the jobs in accordance with the wages rate set out in their agreement, of which the piecework rate is only an alternative They are prepared to submit their case to an independent tribunal, as suggested at a deputation to the Prime Minister, which could recommend, to the Government a basis for settlement.