UNION MEETINGS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 195, 19 July 1937, Page 8

UNION MEETINGS.

Two meetings, one at Palmerston North and one at Feilding, were addressed by Mr P. M. Butler, secretary of the Municipal and General Workers’ Union —which incorporates related trades—on Saturday. Air M. O’Grady, president, presided at both meetings, and the Manawatu representative, Air J. P. Queenan, also attended. The recent municipal employees’ dispute held in Wellington was explained in detail at both meetings. It was stated that the agreement reached provided a minimum weekly wage of £4 10s. Gardeners’ wages are £4 16s, foremen gardeners £5 and gangers 2s a day above these rates. Turncock and pump men have a wage of £5 5s a week, and casual workers are to receive one penny additionally on all specified rates. The holidays stated for the workers were nine statutory holidays as well as five days’ leave annually. Resolutions of thanks to the union officers were carried at the meetings, and at Palmerston North delegates were elected to represent the union on the Labour Representation Committee. namely, Messrs J. P. Queenan, A W. Morgan and J. Marsdon. Reports of the market gardeners’ dispute and the nursery men’s settlement were also presented at the meeting.