WORK RESUMED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 140, 16 June 1939, Page 6

WORK RESUMED

RELIEF WORKERS

DISPUTE AT AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 15. The 120 Scheme 13 relief workers engaged by the Newmarket Borough Council, who stopped work when a man was dismissed because he refused ta obey- the foreman's instruction to take off his coat to start work today, have returned to their job. Negotiations were started immediately, and, though the man was not reinstated, the gang resumed work under protest, pending an explanation being given to the Minister of Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb). The conviction that their fellowworker had been victimised prompted the men to walk off the job at 10 a.m. The morning was cold, and the man concerned began work wearing a halflength oilskin. It was stated that when the man refused to" take off b his coat, the foreman and another offlcer were both wearing overcoats, which the workers alleged was inconsistent with the demand on the man. As soon as the men became aware that their mate, a married man with a family, had been dismissed, they put down their tools. A march to demonstrate their protest was organised, and, en route, the strikers halted at the new Olympic swimming pool, where an attempt was made to incite the relief workers engaged there to support their case. Their efforts were unsuccessful and they returned to Sarawia Street to eat their lunches.' Early in the afternoon the man wno had been dismissed prevailed on the others to return to, work. While negotiations were in train, it was intimated that a conference would be arranged between the council and Mr. A. G. Osborne, M.P. for Onehunga, and the men worked till Mr. Osborne visited them in the afternoon to explain that he had been unsuccessful in his efforts to have the worker reinstated.. "The Government will not intervene if you stay/out on strike," said Mr. Osborne, urging the men to reconsider their attitude in order that the case might be investigated. He promised that he would give a full explanation to the Minister if the men resumed work, and he said he was willing to accept any resolution. . - It was unanimously decided that the men should return to work under protest, pending a reply from the Minister, who should be acquainted with the facts. ' The Mayor of Newmarket, Mr. S Donaldson, explained that a dispute developed among the workers some time ago, and, when it was settled, the council agreed that the men should be allowed half an hour every fortnight to discuss problems affecting the job. Though the arrangement continued there had been no official intimation that the workers were dissatisfied. The foreman's intimation that morning, before the strike, that someone was looking for trouble appeared to-have been , well founded. j