A DEADLOCK

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 32, 9 February 1929, Page 9

A DEADLOCK

ENGINEERING DISPUTE

POSITION OP INDUSTRY

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Eveninj Post.")

CHEISTCHUECH, This Day.

Little progress was made in thu Dominion dispute in the engineering industry which came before the Conciliation Council yesterday. The skilled branches were the iron and brass moulders, general engineers, and boilermakers.

The demands of the New Zealand 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 finisheis, brass polishers, universal milling 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 HHd; (b) Moulders while engaged in moulding for steel.or in steel castings, 2s Id; coremakers who have served five years' apprenticeship, 2s; machine moulding, Is lid; (c) journeymen on stock catalogue work, Is lO^d; (d) workers on oxyacctylene or electric welding, Is to Is 6d a day extra; chargemen, 2s a day extra.

Tho 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, £0 10s a week; fitters, turners, turret lathe turners, gunsmiths, blacksmiths, coppersmiths, toolmakers, . universal grinders, die sinkers, brass linishors, 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 6d a day extra; chargemen 2s 6d to 5s a day extra.

Mr. T. 0. Bishop, secretary of the Federated Ironmaster's Association, said that tho employers wished to strengthen the position of the industry enabling it to develop, expand, and nourish. They sought the employees' co-oporation towards that expansion.

Mr. E. F. Barter said that tho employees regarded the proceedings as the most important that had come before the Conciliation Council. They realised the position of the industry, but believed that when the proceedings closed the friendship of tho past would continue. Bettor wages and better conditions stood for greater efficiency. They were prepared to do their utmost, to ensure that every engineer, boilerlnakor and moulder should be fully employed, and met in a spirit of conciliation. BETTER RELATIONS. Mr. A. C. Mitchell, president of the Ironmasters' Federation, said that during the past few years tho industry had had a very trying time. The relations! between the parties were bettor to-day and of a higher standard than he had ever known previously, but conditions had arisen over which they had no control. If they improved tho industry to the extent of increasing employment they should have achieved the purpose of their meeting.

Mr. J. S. Dawes said that many firms were conducting their businesses at a loss.

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 em ployees, asked for the insertion of a tlause making it optional upon agreement between employer and employees to work a 44-hour week of five days without work on Saturdays.

. The ironmasters' assessors stated tha*. they were' not 1 prepared to accept the old" award. The employees' assessors said that, 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 asked for further consideration. He suggested thj.t the employers retiro and come to the council again on Saturday or Monday at the latest.

Mr. Barter plso regretted tho stand that had been taken.

Tho Commissioner interposed with a suggestion that the council should meet again on Saturday morning, and that moanwhile the employers should attempt to roach a decision. "A SORRY SPECTACLE." Mr. Bishop said he was sorry for the deadlock. They would present a sorry spectacle te the people of New Zealand if, as representatives of an important industry, they could not get beyond the first clauses of an award. N.ew Zealand had now had a degree of indu % ial 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 tho breakdown in tho negotiations. He was grateful for tlio suggestion of Mr. Barter and Mr. Thurston. Meanwhile the employers would try to separate the demands of tho various interests. If after sitting on Friday night they should roach a decision they would be glad to reopen tho discussion on- Saturday.