PRINTING TRADE DISPUTE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 March 1935, Page 9

PRINTING TRADE DISPUTE

DECISION AGAINST STRIKE AUCKLAND AND CHRISTCHURCH SETTLEMENT ANTICIPATED (By Telegraph—Tress Association.) AUCKLAND, March 26. By about a three-fifths majority the Auckland Typographical and Related Trades Unions decided to-night against a proposal that they should strike in support of the Wellington Unions, which ceased work last week. There were 373 members present all the meeting, which was called to consider a report by delegates who were instructed at a similar meeting last week to confer at Wellington with the executive of the New Zealand Printing Trades Federation of Workers, with which the Auckland Union are affiliated. The meeting lasted about three hours,, the principal business being the consideration of the strike proposal. A conference was held at Wellington between the employers and workers in the printing dispute but ended without definite result. It is believed, however, that a setlement will not be long delayed and that the workers will accept the 5 per cent, increase in wages and other concessions offered by the employers. The offer of a further 5 iter cent, increase at the end of 12 months, which was made by the employers on Saturday in an attempt to secure an immediate settlement, has been definitely withdrawn and is not now available. A number of girls employed by leading Wellington printing firms returned to work to-day. A Christchurch message says that a meeting of the printing trades union was held at 5 o’clock to-day to consider the dispute. This was considered to be the critical meeting at which a decision would be made whether the strike would be extended to Christchurch. No official report as to the proceedings at the meeting is available, hut it is understood that a vote was taken on the strike proposal and that it was defeated by a substantial majority. The meeting agreed that a levy be struck on the wages of members to assist the. strikers at Wellington. It is understood the amount of the levy fixed was 12| per cent, for men and 5 per cent for women. Tonight the morning newspaper staffs are on duty as usual and working normally.