STATE HOUSE STRIKE

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1937, Page 4

STATE HOUSE STRIKE

negotiations fail More Men Idled [Per Press Association]. AUCKLAND, August 24.After three days’ negotiations, no settlement has been reached in the strike of carpenters engaged in the erection of State houses at Orakei. It is now feared the strike will involve all workers employed on contract by the Fletcher Construction Company, and its sub-contractors, with the exception of apprentices, watchmen and a few hands at the Penrose factory. A number of bricklayers and bricklayers’ labourers resumed work this morning, but there is only sufficient work to keep them employed a few days. The roof tilers are still working, but only two roofs have to be completed. The total number of men engaged on the job at Orakei is 275, and at the joinery factory and mill, Penrose, 90. Sub-contractors for plumbing, plastering, tile-laying, etc., number 92. “It a settlement is not reached speedily, nobody will be at work on the job after the present week, said Mr- Fletcher, principal of the contracting firm, this morning. If the strike had not occurred, o*. houses would have been completed in a month from the date the strike commenced.