RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 23, 10 January 1912, Page 5

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.

Owing to the refusal of the Railway- Commissioner to grant the demands of engineers and iron'workers employed by the Department an increase, the latter ceased work. About 1090 are out so far. The transit ami signal employees are not affected. THE ATEN’S DEMANDS. (Received 10, 9.35 a.m.) Perth, Jan. 10. The agreement between the Society of Engineers and the Commissioner of Railways expired in November. Since then the officials of the society have bcm negotiating for an increase of two shillings a day. The claim is based on the increased cost of living and the fact that increases have been granted to locomotive engine drivers. The Commissioner’s offer to advance sixpence v. as promptly declined. The men waited upon the Minister of Railways, who declined to take the matter out of the hands of the Commissioner. The men decided to stop away from work in order to attend daily conferences, practically amounting to a strike. Those affected are engine fitters, turners, iron moulders, blacksmiths employed in the Midland Junction ctkshop. Fremantle and KalgoorNo immediate dislocation of railways is feared, although it must seriously interfere with t-ltc building of new rolling stock. MELBOUBNE V. HARF LABOURERS’ DEMANDS. (Received 10, l J a.m.) Jlelboin-nc, Jan. IO It ir .-fated r.nc-iueially that the v-tiarf labourers demand for in- - ~:c "im’d wages has been granted with '■ri-tain conditions. A mass meet ng ■■ to be he’d to-day to ccnsidor t’ce '■osition.

VICTORIAN MUMMERS’ UNION (Received 10, 11 a.m.) Melbourne, Jan. 10. The Actors Union has decided to affiliate with, the Trades Hall. RABBIT TRAPPERS’ STRIKE. (Received 10, 11 a.m.) Sydney, Jan. 10. The rabbit trappers’ strike is steadily spreading. WE I.LIN GTON P.U JLDIN(t TRADES DISPUTE. AGREEMENT ARRIVED AT. [by TELEGRAPH —.SPECIAL.] (Own Correspondent). Wellington, Jan. 9. A satisfactory agreement has been arrived at in Hie dispute between the Wellington building trades labourers and the employers at a first conference between the parties, presided over by the Conciliation C'<. inniissioner, Al >-. P. Hally. The chief points at dispute were settled with the exception of wages and eubiirbnn work. The union was asking 1.3 per hour anil 14 for scaffolding work, the old rates running 1/li and 1/2.1- respectively. A forty-four hour week was also sought as against forty-five in the old award, and time and a half for iii-rt two hours overtime and double, time after that. A later conference saw all the debatable points adjusted and the new agreement provides for wages at I,< '• and 1 3, the latter for scaffolding wo; k.

This agreement will, in the course of time, be embodied in an award of the court, probably about. 16th March next, and it. will remain in force for two years.

The secretary of the union, Mr. E. Kennedy, stall s that while there is little work doing for plasterers m this city, Auckland is very busy. A little iniilding is going on at Kelbi’ine and Island Baj. At tb.e latter place, in connection with workers dwellings, it is expected that in a couple of months time there will Oe a brisk revival in the trade. Plenty of work is offering in the cir.mtiv.

NAPIER WATERSIDE WORKERS

Matters in regard to the water-

side workers’ dispute with the employers are still m abeyance. On Friday next a conference will be hold in Napier, when a settlement will probably be arrived at. By the hourly system, under winch the men insisted on being engagpd, it is alleged the employers gained 1 7.1 per man while working meat on Alonday. Of course this will not always lie. the case. So long, hovy- < vi r. as .there is unbroken weather the employer is the gainer by the hourly system.