AUCKLAND DRIVERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 January 1942, Page 7

AUCKLAND DRIVERS

HOLIDAY DISPUTE ACUTE. AUCKLAND, January 22. A test of strength between the Government and certain industrial unions seems likely to develop in Auckland, within the next lew weeks. Recent Government orders resulting in variation of awards, have already caused some murmurings of trouble, and someopen breaches here. That the Government intends to act strongly in this regard, is indicated by information obtained unofficially, to-day. that a large number of sum-” mouses are in course of preparation, because of recent stoppages of work at the Westfield freezing works, and the city abattoir, also situated at Westfield. The number, of freezing workers affected by the summonses, it is stated, is likely to be in the vicinity of 140. The number of summonses concerning the abattoir workers is not known.

The first hint that the Government is likely to be challenged comes from the Auckland Drivers’ Union, which was concerned yesterday, in an industrial upset on the question of the annual picnic holiday, and which hints at further action regarding the Anniversary Day holiday on Thursday next. Yesterday’s trouble concerned a dispute between the Drivers’ Union and the Master Carriers’ Association. The Association has agreed to accept yesterday as having been a picnic holiday, and issued a statement that the drivers who had taken, or been allowed the holiday yesterday, would be paid the weekly wage without any deduction. Drivers who had worked, i would be paid an extra day’s pay in accordance with the overtime 'and holiday suspension order. They also advised that the same basis of payment would be made lor Anniversary Dav.

It is understood that this announcement has not been received favourably by at least one section of the employees. The secretary of the Drivers’ Union (Mr. Matthews) stated to-day that it was the intention of drivers to discuss these matters at a meeting on Sunday next. “It is the intention of the union,” he said, “to make every attempt to obtain for the workers who worked yesterday, time and a-half, plus ordinary time." A resolution would be submitted asking that Anniversary Day be observed by the employers in terms mid condition's of the award.

“If this resolution is passed, and agreed to by the employers, it is obvious that there will be no dispute. If not agreed to by the employers, the question of taking other action is one that will be decided democratically by the members of the union." said Mr. Matthews. He added that there was no provision in their awards for making the working of ox ertime or holiday work compulsory. It naturally followed that workers could please

. themselves whether or not they worked for the amounts offered bv the employers.—P.A. ABATTOIR CLOSED. AUCKLAND. January 22. Tile, municipal abattoir is to be closed down, because of insufficient labour, stated the convener of the City Council Public Health Committee (Mr. Ambler) to-day. Labour at the abattoir is on the customary voluntary basis, nol having been declared an essential industry, as is the case with freezing works labour, so, it was stated, little can be done to keep men on the job. Mr. Ambler said a full statement concerning the proposed arrangements for killing and dressing of fresh meat cannot be made at. this stage. 'l’he Auckland Chamber of Commerce. after a committee discussion, passed a resolution "that the Chamber communicate with the associated chambers urging it to convey to the Government its most grave concern at the lack of interest in the welfare of flic country, and deliberate flouting of the laws of the land manifest in | reccurcnt stoppages of work, interfering with the national war effort, and urging the Government to enforce th« War Emergency Regulations immediately." ‘