TUNNELLERS’ DISPUTE

Grey River Argus, 9 October 1934, Page 5

TUNNELLERS’ DISPUTE

At Waipori Falls DUE TO LOW PAY. (Special to Argus.) DUNEDIN, October 8. A new tunnel i. s being driven for the Dunedin City Council at (the Waipori Falls in connection with the Waipori electrical works. On this job a dispute has arisen between the construction for |the tunnel and the men who are engaged on the work, number-1 ing about 23. Most of the tunnellers belong to the West Coast and to the North Island. fit is desired that tho fact should be made known to workers generally that the position at Waipori Falls is that there is a dispute in existence. The men point out that this is work of a hazardous nature, but the contractor refuses to pay more than 15s 6d per shift, for labourers., 16s per shift for machine men, 17s per shift for shift boss. The man have made a request ito ‘the contractor for the following rates to be paid: Leading hands 2s 3d per hour and al] other tunnel workers not ]ck than 2s 2d per hour. At a conference which w;is held with the contractor. the secretary of the Employers’ Association and the secretary of the General Labourers’ Union the contractor refused to meet the request of the employees.