OVER 1900 EMPLOYEES TO GO

Grey River Argus, 17 February 1949, Page 5

OVER 1900 EMPLOYEES TO GO

Go-slow at Auckland Not Being Dropped

AUCKLAND, Feb. 16.

Resistance on both sides appears to be hardening in the dispute between the Auckland master builders and the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union. The builders are preparing to pay off their employees to-morrow evening, should they decline to discontinue the go-slow policy.

The Builders’ Association issued the following brief statement to-day: “The only way in which the 2000 carpenters and joiners in the district can avoid the consequences of their illegal action is to see that their union notifies this association that all are prepared to resume normal work by Thursday evening; otherwise our association will indicate very definitely that any doubt they might have as to the sincerity and determination of the builders is completely unfounded.” The carpenters employed on the Korma Mills job to-day passed a resolution deploring the attitude of the master builders in suggesting the operation of a lock-out and decided to intensify their go-slow policy. carpenterTto be PAID OFF THIS EVENING P.A. AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. As the Auckland branch of the Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union has declined to abandon its go-slow policy, between 1800 and 2000 of its members are expected to be dismissed from their employment to-mor-row. This is in accordance with the decision made on Monday night by the Auckland Master Builders’ Association, which reiterated to-day, that it would have no hesitation in putting its resolution into effect. The clerical staffs of the large building firms had a busy day to-day in computing the “dismissal” payrolls. When the men are handed their envelopes to-morrow, which is the usual pay day, they will receive the proportion of holiday money due to them, in addition to their wages. In a number of cases -the men will get an extra two days’ wages, as they are paid on Thursday, although the working week ends on Tuesday. The builders, especially the larger firms, will lose heavily as the result of the wholesale dismissal of their carpenters. Only the labourers’ apprentices and key foremen will be left to carry on, arid the amount of work that they will be at liberty .to do is limited. At least one employer will be .dismissing men who have been in his service for 25 and 30 years. The Builders’ Association has stated that its members will not reengage men until it is notified by the union that all of the unionists are prepared to resume at the normal rate of work. Union Plans for Long Dispute P.A. AUCKLAND, Feb. 16. A unanimous decision, reaffirming its determination to obtain the union’s demands, was made at a meeting of 74 job delegates of the Auckland branch of the Carpenters and Joiners’ Union to-night. It was stated that plans are being prepared for a protracted dispute. Employers’ Statement AUCKLAND, Feb 16. Support for the Auckland Master Builders’ Association in it decision to dismiss all members of the Auckland branch of the Carpenters’ ano Joiners' Union as from Thursday evening, unless they decided to cease their go-slow policy, was offered by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association and the Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association. After a special meeting, the three organisations issued a joint statement recommending their members not to engage any worker whose employment bad been terminated because he had been a party to “open defiance of the law.” _ . The Master Builders’ Association sought the co-operation of all other employers in an attempt to uphold the decision of the Arbitration Court said the joint statement. The three bodies held the view that all parties employers and workers alike, should obey the law, and believed that the time had come when this should be insisted upon. If in doubt, whether a ’.vorker r previous employment had been terminated as a result of the go-slow policy, an employer could obtain information from the Master Builders' Association, added the statement. Messages of congratulation on its decision had been received by the Master Builders’ Association during the day said the secretary (Mr M. F. Bunker). “The prevalence of unfounded rumours that some employers have already met the union’s demands indicates that the union is by no means convinced that we are bluffing” said the president of the association (Mr J. M. Whittaker). “These rumours are a very obvious attempt to undermine the association’s solidarity. “My own firm has been named a" one of the first to have given way. This I categorically deny. I _ am quite prepared to allow any independent citizen appointed by the Mayor the editor of a newspaper or anv other responsible person to investigate my books and records ti prove that I have not complied with the union’s demands. I am convinced that any other member of the association would be prepared i< allow the same investigation if he were asked.

"The association’s executive ha thoroughly investigated the degree of support it can expect” from its members and from other employers and is absolutely convinced that the association’ policy will be . carried out. We know that the employers as a whole realise that this is as much their fight as curs and they tire not going to be foolish enough to defeat the object .of the stand we have taken by absorbing the carpenters into other occupations during the dispute. “We must expect a spate of rumours that builders or other employers are willing to engage from 1500 to 200 carpenters within day of their becoming available but our members know just how much reliance can be placed on such statesecurity is in fact being bought. SUPPORT FOR UNION AUCKLAND, Feb 16. The following resolution was passed b v the executive of the Auckland Drivers’ Union tonight, according to the secretary (Mr L. G. Matthews) :— “This management committee of the Drivers’ .Union pledges its wholehearted moral support to the Carpenters’ Union in its dispute. We, are of the opinion that the demands 'of tlrCarpenters’ Union for the retention of the travelling time clause and an hourly rate of 4s is just, having in

mind that these conditions have been in operation for some considerable time.

“We are further of the opinion that,in view of the demands of egneral drivers for an increase in wages raising their minimum hourly rate to 4s Id, the demands of the carpenters cannot be deemed excessive.” The Auckland Ceramic, Builders', and General Labourers’ Union to-day passed a resolution expressing the opinion that the carpenters had had an injustice inflicted on them by the Arbitration Court, and that the goslow policy could not be confined to the ranks of the carpenters indefinitely, as other union in the building industry would soon be materially affected. Accordingly the union called on the Federation of Labour to enter into further negotiations with the master builders and the Government to effect a settlement satisfactory to the Carpenters Union and its officials. Carpenters’ National Council Meeting P.A. WELLINGTON, Feb. 16. Developments in the carpenters’ - dispute over a new award for the industry were discussed at the meeting of the National Council of the New Zealand Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union to-day. The council had not completed its discussions when the adjournment was taken until, to-, morrow.