WAGES DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 189, 8 May 1931, Page 11

WAGES DISPUTE

Tunnellers’ Rates

TERMS REJECTED

Work at Standstill

The Government’s offer of a settlement in the tunnellers’ wages dispute has been rejected by the men, and work remains at a standstill. A deputation,to the Prime Minister is to be arranged, and in the meantime Mr. A. Cook, secretary of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, has issued the following statement: — “In a Ministerial statement appearing on May 2, in reference to the dispute existing between co-operative contractors and the Public Works Department, it is alleged that at a conference between representatives of the men and officers of the department concessions were made which would permit the average co-operative party working industriously to earn 20/- per day. Such statement does not reveal the true position.

Contract Prices. -

“The original contract price which was rescinded by the department was £l3/15/- per lineal foot for the enlargement. The new contract Which the men refused to sign was £7/4/- per lineal foot The average cost to the cooperative party for steel, explosives, etc, amounts to approximately £l/15/per foot, leaving in the case of the old contract £l2 per foot for labour, and in the new contract £5/9/-. “At the conference referred to the department’s officers made an offer to increase the. rate in the proposed new contract 10/- per foot, which would bring the labour cost up to £5/19/- per foot, and still a reduction on actual earnings of over 50 per cent. The department’s officers, when met in conference, frankly stated that they were bound by a Cabinet decision to readjust prices to a 16/ : per day basis, and any negotiations with them for a settlement would have to be within the limits of that decision. “The statement that men can make 18/6 to 21/- per day was denied by the men’s representatives. On the department’s own figures the new offer of 10/- per foot only provides a basis of average earnings of 16/9 per day, and it is obvious that if one party earns 20/per day another party must necessarily earn only 13/6 per day. That the men can earn 16/9 per day at 'the prices now being offered is denied by the men, and as a proof of their belief of this they are prepared to work on wages for 16/- per day as provided for in their agreement.

Men Reject Offer.

“When it was discovered at the conference that the officers of the department had their hands securely bound and that it was impossible to make any headway toward a settlement, the secretary of the union suggested that they approach Cabinet and endeavour to get the basis of computation for contract rates lifted from 16/- to £1 per day. The offer referred to in the interview is Cabinet’s approval of the offer made by the department’s officers, and rejected by the men’s representatives in conference. A letter to the union from the Minister of Public Works repeating the offer was placed before a full meeting of the Tawa Flat men and unanimously rejected, and at the same time they reaffirmed their previous offer to man the job at 16/- per shift.”