BUILDERS' DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18771, 26 July 1924, Page 9

BUILDERS' DISPUTE.

LOCK-OUT FROM TO-DAY, STRIKE ALREADY IN PROGRESS. Rcuter. - LONDON. July 24. The building trade employers have decided that the lock-out notices issued on July 11, but so far suspended, shall operate as from. Saturday aext. The curious situation of a simultaneous strike and lock-out will elitist in Britain to-day if the employers carry out the decision referred to in the cablegram. This, despite the fact that the dispute between the parties is being investigated by a Court of Inquiry. The National Conference of Building Employers Secided on June 20 to declare a national lock-out from July 5. The object was to enforce observance of national agreements. It was stated at theji time that the lock-out would involve nearly 700,000 men, and -would probably mean the stoppage of the bulk of the building work throughout the country. The employers' decision was regarded as all the more startling because a national agreement embodying a settlement was formally signed on June 16. The employers, ia declining' to endorse that settlement and in breaking off negotiations, stated that continuous disputes and revolts had been occurring. The operatives asserted! that the employers had repudiated their own negotiating com* mittee, and hinted that if the settlement term 3 we're not observed they might strike without waiting lor the lock-out. The Government then stepped in and net up the Court of Inquiry. Thereupon the employers on July 3 decided to postpone the posting of the lock-out notices till July 11. The Building Operatives' Federation declined to avail themselves of this decision, however. They said that! unless An increase in the hourly rate,and provision for a guaranteed week were introduced bv July 6 labour, must be; withdrawn. This threat was actually carried into on Saturday, July 5.; a strike being commenced at noon on that day. At about the same time the Court of Inquiry into the dispute commenced hearing the evidence under a protest against the terms of reference. On | July 7 iti was estimated in trades unioni circles that between 100,000 and 150,000 men engaged in the building trades bad struck. ' The position ir London was stated to be more serious than anywhfjre else. lit was understood that some, employers had conceded the opera-tives'-minimum demands of £d an: hour increase, is pay aiad a guaranteed week. ;,:;.,; I ■■■.-. I■'..■',' ;||||