LABOUR PROTEST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 173, 23 June 1926, Page 4

LABOUR PROTEST.

AGAINST CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT. HARBOUR BOARD GATEKEEPERS (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) AUCKLAND, June 22. A protest against the conditions of tho appointment of tho twelve gatekeepers recently engaged by the Auckland Harbour Board was contained in a letter from the Auckland Trades and Labour - Council received at a meeting of the board to-day. The letter stated that, at a recent meeting of the council, representative of 25 trade unions, a resolution was unanimously carried protesting most strongly against the conditions of the appointment of the gatekeepers, under which they were required to work seven shifts a week.

“In theso days of enlightened industrialism,’’ continued tho letter, “whether from reasons of religion or physical recreation, there exist few bodies, if any, who do not allow their employees at least one day off in seven for a day of rest and recuperation, and wo trust that your board will take immediate steps to remove this blot on tho fair name of such an important local body as the Auckland Harbour Board.”

Tho chairman (Mr H. R. McKenaio), in moving that the letter be received, uuid ho thought that this was one of tho nicest .jobs in Auckland and tho board was paying a good salary. The board had roccived nearly 1400 applications lor the positions, and if more time bad In-on given there would prol»nmty hovo been 14,000.

Mr .1. Henderson: But these men get Sunday oil'. Js that not so? The chairman: Yes. They get one Sunday oil' in three. The harbourmaster’s staff lias worked on this principle for years, and J know of no body that gets a greater measure of loyalty from its stalf. The gatekeepers are quite satisfied. Mr E. W. Inder: Of course they don’t need to retain tlieir jobs if they don’t like them. The letter was received without further comment.