CHEMICAL MANURE WORKERS
• AWARD GRIEVANCE CAUSES STOPPAGE [p EE United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, October 18. Dissatisfied with the new award, several hundred men employed at the three chemical manure works at Otahuhu— namely, , the Challenge Phosphate Company, Kempthorne Prosser Ltd., and the New Zealand banners Fertiliser Company —taned to start work this morning.
“ We have no dispute and we cannot be considered the opposing party in a strike,” said the manager ot tme ot the works affected. “ ihe position is that the men ceased work because ot dissatisfaction with the court s awaiu. We consider that as a party to the proceedings that led to the award we must accept the decision ot the court. 'The men’s protest is with the court, so that wo can hardly interfere in the circumstances.”
Tho manager explained that the court made an increase in certain rates of lid an hour, its decision was very much on the lines of an otter made by the employers several months ago, which would have been retrospective to a certain date. It was a conditional offer. and it was rejected by the union. The men now complained that the award made by the court was not retrospective. Some objection appeared to be raised regarding the rate of 2s 7id for chemical workers, a cornua rison having been made with the rate of 3s 5d an hour given to waterside workers for handling sulphur. It was further stated, however, that the conditions of the two tvpes of work were very different. The waterside work was casual and the men on sulphur unloading had to operate in unpleasant conditions in ships’ holds. There was a greater degree of perhianencv of employment at the manure works and practically all the sulphur handling was done in the open. There is an impression that any strike will not seriously affect the various works, as they are now experiencing an off-season period.
The Minister of Labour (Hon H. T. Armstrong) is in touch with the position and has been fully advised of developments.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Star, Issue 23092, 19 October 1938, Page 3
Word Count
340CHEMICAL MANURE WORKERS Evening Star, Issue 23092, 19 October 1938, Page 3
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