UNREASONABLE INCREASE

Evening Star, Issue 19772, 24 January 1928, Page 4

UNREASONABLE INCREASE

MUNICIPAL LABORERS' WAGES •• CONTRACT WORK ONLY ALTERNATIVE M “ I want the court to justify itself to the public why local bodies should have to pay 66 2*3 per cent, increase of wages since 1914 and private employers only 61 per cent. It is driving us to private contract. Our city sweeping, cleaning, and other work will have to be done by private contract. We are coming to that, and there is no alternative.” Mr G. A. Lewin (town clerk) told the Conciliation Council plainly this morning that the claims for increased wages for laborers employed by Dunedin local bodies would be strenuously opposed. Mr Lewin made his attitude clear early in the discussion. “My instructions are not to agree to anything that will add to the cost of the work,” he stated. “The council feels that it has gone to its limits.” Mr W. G. Griffen (town clerk): St. Kilda is also opposed to any increase whatever. The provision of storm weather apparel was being discussed. The employers dissented, but Mr Harrison pointed out that provision was made in the Auckland award. “I want to tell you candidly, we can’t keep pace with Auckland,” replied Mr Lewin. When wages were being discussed, Mr Harrison said the men could not work for nothing. They had to earn a living. Mr Lewin; I can show the court that Is lOd per hour fully covers the increase in the cost of living since July, 1914. In other words, the workers are no worse off to-day than they were in 1914. The increase in the cost of living is 60.9 per cent., and the increase in the wages is 61 per cent.

Mr J. Robinson said Is Kid represented a 60 per cent, increase, which the court took as an artificial basis.

Mr Lewin: But it works out on a true basis. Taking the actual figures in 1914 and 1927, your demand works out at a 66 2-3 per cent, increase. Mr Robinson: The wage we are asking for is on the same basis as the court has granted in other local body awards.

His intimation of pressing the court to justify itself was then given by Mr Lewin. For the various classes of workers the following minimum hourly rates of wages were asked by the union Laborers employed in tunnels or in timbering trenches, 2s Id; laborers employed in concrete, pick and shovel, sewer, kerbing and channeling work, laying and cleaning drains, and all other work of the same kind, Is lid; tar workers (sprayers and broom), Is lid plus Is per day; laborers employed in jointing gas or water mains, 2s Id; laborers employed in hammer and drill work, or in using explosives, 2s; steam, electric, or motor shovel drivers, 2s 3d, and while employed on other work, ,2s 2d; leading hands, Is 6d daily above ordinary rates. The minimum rate for weekly hands was set down in the demands as £4 10s.

All clauses save wages and weekly workers were agreed to. Kir Lewin said that the weekly workers’ clause would not be operative in Dunedin, as all the council laborers were casuals. The debated clauses were referred to the court.