WORKS TO CLOSE DOWN

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 142, 12 March 1938, Page 12

WORKS TO CLOSE DOWN

Rivers Board Decision ATTITUDE OF HAWKE’S BAY UNIONS “Impossible Situation” Dominion Special Service. ’» Hastings, March 11. Describing the situation that had arisen as impossible, tlie chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board. Mr. C. Lassen, to-day announced the board’s decision to close down, tin works on the Ngaruroro River diver- ■ sion and flood control scheme. As a result ot the board’s decision daj labour men are being given a week s notice. The board intends submitting the whole of the facts to the Minister of Public Works, Hon. K. Semple, when he arrives in Hawke s Bay to-morrow. ’’The position has been brought about by the attitude of the Hawke’s Ba,\ General Labourers’ Union and the Drivers’ Union following the recent court decision on the question of alleged breaches of awards,” said Mr. Lassen. "In view of tills position 1! has been found necessary to give th? men who are now employed on day labour a week’s notice and to close down the Ngaruroro works. A statement covering the whole position is being prepared, and will be submitted to tlie Minister of Public Works and a special meeting of the board is being called for next week further to consider the matter.” "When the unions challenged the validity of the board’s contracts, Hie board was entitled to close down tlie works until a decision had been arrived at regarding the dispute, since success of the action would have had a most serious financial effect on the board’s estimates,” said Mr. W. T. O’Connell, secretary of the rivers board, outlining the events leading up to the board’s decision to close down. "But as it was considered by the board that th" men were not responsible for the prosecutions and that these proceedings were being forced on them by the two unions concerned it was decided not to pena Use. the men. With this in view the board offered to provide the men with work by the (lay until the decision of the court was known. When a decision in favour of the board was given 'the secretary of tlie Hawke’s Bay General Labourers’ Union informed the board's solicitors that he intended to appeal to the Arbitration Court. This may not be sitting at Napier for another three or four months, although there may be a meeting at Wellington at an earlier date. - “The Last Straw.” “However, the union secretary further intimated that it was intended to claim overtime and country allowance during'the past three weeks, when the men have been employed by day labour by tlie goodwill of the board. Thin was tlie last straw and it was really impossible to carry on witli the work in the face of tlie attitude that had been taken.”

The situation is the sequel to a de cision given by Mr. J. Miller, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court,. Napier, recent ly, when the Hawke’s Bay General Labourers’ Union and the Hawke’s Bay Drivers’ Union proceeded against the rivers board alleging breaches of awards. The magistrate’s decision was in favour of the board. Following the adverse decision the men endorsed tlie proposal of the unions concerned to appeal to the Court of Arbitration. In addition to endorsing tlie proposal to appeal, the men decided to sign no more contracts until the provisions were.endorsed by the executives of both unions.

While not averse to piecework, the men have stated that they are not prepared to enter into any contract which might mean tlie loss of award wages and conditions.

A further meeting of river workers held at I’akowhai on Wednesday waaddressed by Mr. H. Kay, secretary of the Labourers’ Union, and Mr. M. Crawford, secretary of the Drivers’ Union.