GAS STRIKE

Grey River Argus, 23 December 1943, Page 7

GAS STRIKE

ENDS AT AUCKLAND Dispute Referred to' Labour Federation [Per Press Association] AuCKdAxMD, Dec. 22. After the two days stoppage of work as a result of the dispute over wages the employees at the Auckland Gasworks returned to work this morning. It is understood that the men were informed at this morning’s meeting that the Government would not intervene unless they returned to work. tylr. F. Craig, President of the Auckland Trades ' Council of the Federation of Labour, to which tne dispute had been reefrred by the strikers, issued the following statement. ■ “The men met this morning at 8 o’clock and accepted the recommendation of the Trades Council to return to work. A deputation of representatives of the Trades Council and the Union is’ leaving tonight to interview the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet in regard to all matters in connection with the gasworks.’’ A feeling of general relief prevails in Auckland at the gas workers resumption, but owing to the furnades having become cold, it is unlikely there will be sufficient gas in the holders for domestic use before to-morrow evening or Friday morning. It will be some days before there is a supply for industrial purposes. NATIONAL UNION’S WANGANUI, Dee. 21. “As far as I know it will not affect any other gasworks in the Dominion,” said Mr. H. I. Norris, President of the National Union of Gasworkers, to-day, when commenting on the Auckland gas strike. “I want to endorse the remarks of the union’s vice-president (Mr. J. Huggan) that the national executive was not notified of the Auckland union’s intentions.” N.I. WATERSIDERS. TO RESUME NIGHTSHIFT. AUCKLAND, Dec. 21. “It is anticipated that the waterside workers in Wellington and Auckland will resume normal hours of work as the result of recent conferences in Wellington,” said Mr. K. E. Price, chairman of the Waterfront Control Commission In Auckland. Mr. Price said that the conferences had been between the Government, the national executive of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, and the Commission. WELLINGTON, Dec. 22. The Wellington watersiders decided to-day to return to normal hours of work. Mr. Flood, President of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union announcing this, said that Auckland watersiders had also agreed to return to normal working hours, on instructions from the National Executive of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ "Union, and the Union had made application to the Waterfront Control Commission for a conference to be called between the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, the New Zealand Waterside Employers Association, and the Waterfront Control Commission, to adjust matters in dispute. All ports would continue normal hours pending negotiations for an adjustment of the disputes. The return to normal hours means that ships will be worked for the full four hours, if necessary after 6 p.m., but work on Saturday and Sunday will for the , day shift still finisn at 5 p.m. as that, has been approved bv the Waterfront Control Commission.