PUBLIC WORKS

Evening Star, Issue 17350, 12 May 1920, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS

COXDITTOTS OF EMPLOYEES. [Pee United Phess Association.] WELLINGTON, May 11. The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. •T. G. Coates) had a meeting to-day wiih the committee representing a deputation of Pub]ic Works men who waited on him the previous day. This committee discussed with the Minister details of their demands. The Minister said to-night that some of the requests would have to be considered by" Cabinet, such an the demand for increased wages and a 44-hour week. ■Working conditions and methods he had diseased with (he committee, but there were still _a few matters to be settled, end to deal with these points the men would meet the chief engineer (Mr Holmes) the next day. As to the question of canteens, the Government "had established these at some of the work:-, and in effect the men wished to have this arrangement made general. The question of housing accommodation for th-s m-?n' had been amicably settled. Baths* were to be provided for tunnel workers, and for ether concentrated works, bringing men into fair-sized colonies, better «anitary arrangements were to be. provided for "in future. An agreement had also been reached on the matter of travelling time. The Minister said a!»o that an arrangement had been made for a settlement of disputes on the job. Men would elect their representative, and he. with the foreman, would go into the trouble and endeavor to reach a conclusion. If they failed, the matter would have to go to the engineer for settlement. This woidd be very much hotthe present practice of down to headquarters in Wellington +o the Minister and the department." Mnny ot the demands of the men had alreadv been granted by Si;- William Fraser ih certain places, but they were not generally applicable.