ON PUBLIC WORKS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 146, 21 June 1923, Page 8

ON PUBLIC WORKS

MEN WANT HIGHER WAGES

CONFERENCE WITH MINISTERS

PROTEST AGAINST RELIEF UNDERTAKINGS.

A conforence between representatives ol the New Zealand Workers' Union and the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) and departmental officers, was held to-day to discuss proposals for a new agreement covoring the men employed on various Public Works undertakings throughout the Dominion.

Explaining the proposals on behalf of the men, Mr. C. Grayndler, secretary of tho New Zoaland Workers' Union, stated that it was desired that an improvement should be obtained on the conditions prevailing. It was asked that the present interim rates of pay be revised to the extent of 10 per cent, increase added lo tho wages of all sections, and that all men working in tunnels (.with the exception of shift bosses and gangers) be placed on the- same scale of wage, and that all men working in quarries (except hammer and drill'men) be paid the same wagei Hammer and drill men, it was suggested, should bo paid Is per day extra, and the schedule should include vblacksmiths,, carpenters, riveters, motorlorry drivers, engine drivels, firemen, cleaners, guards, fitters, stationary engine cleaners, and pump attendants, who should all receive .a, 10 per cent, increase on the minimum rates provided in the various industrial awards -which cover these classes of workers. For men working in wet places the union wanted the weekly hours to be reduced from 47 to 44. Instead of time and a quarter, it was proposed that overtime should be paid for at the rate of time and a half, and that weekly wage workers should be paid overtime for all work done over and above the ordinary working day. Ten minutes each morning and afternoon was asked for " smoke-ohc," such time to be paid for. As Territorials have to comply with the Militaiiy Training Act, it -was requested that these men should be paid for all time occupied in attending drills. Various minor additions to existing conditions wore pressed by Mr. Grayndler, who urged that the provision of the 1919 agreement with respect to hut accommodation should be re-established, that bathing conveniences should be provided, also separate conveniences for oach family. 'rThe present system of housing two workmen in Bft by 10ft, or 9ft.by Bft, hutments is not only contrary to the provisions of the Public Health Act," Mr. Grayndler, " but it is most unsatisfactory to the men who occupy the huts. The union is prepared to take full 1 responsibility for the care and control of hutments erected by the Department for ij,s employees. : "We also ask for the relief system to be abolished. The system debases men to the lowest rung on the human ladder of starvation. It is a fact that the men so employed find it. impossible to earn sufficient to more than maintain themselves, their wives, and children in a miserable existence. I cannot understand why the Department, which I think desires efficiency, should have allowed this degrading system to be introduced. It may only be a. coincidence;" but I do not find the relief system prevalent in the electorates where representatives of the present Government are members, neither can I understand why tho Waihi, Tauranga, and RoxburghBeaumont extension, where work had previously been proceedod with under ordinary Public Works supervision, 'should be turned into relief works. . . . A Government that disregards the necessity of paying wages to its workmen sufficient to enable them to live in accordance with civilised and humanitarian needs must surely have a short duration." To enable the Minister to attend a deputation, the conference was adjourned until half past 3 this afternoon.