WORKERS AT ARAPUNI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 10

WORKERS AT ARAPUNI.

RECONSTRUCTION OF UNION.

MEETING HELD BY MEN.

NEW EXECUTIVE ELECTED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] ARAPUNI, Sunday Since the calling off of the Arapuni strike on June 17, after a four days' stoppage, construction work has been proceeding without interruption or friction due to labour difficulties. Nearly ail those responsible for the strike have been dismissed by the contractors, the Sir VV. G. Armstrong, Whitworth Company, the reason given being that their work had become unsatisfactory. Since the disaffected eloment do parted peace has reigned. Many of the workers felt that the strike was a blunder, and tins explains the apathy that is said to have existed toward union affairs during the past two months. Traces unionism, in fact, has been a dead letter at Arapuin of late, the workers having had no . responsible executive since the president, Mr. John Kelly, and the majority of the union officials were repudiated by the New Zealand Workers' Union tor their part in the strike. An effort to reconstruct the local branch of the union was made to-day, when a meeting open to all members was convened for the purpose of electing a new executive Of some 400 men entitled to take part, about 60 made an appearance at the meeting. Mr. A. Cook, secretary of the New Zealand Workers' Union, and Mr. J. B. Williams, organiser, were present. L'he meeting was private, but according to statements made afterwards by members ol the union, it was stormy, though not so uproarious as some held while the strike was in progress. L'he contractors' action in dismissing members ol the strike committee came in tor a good deal of criticism, and charges of victimisation were made. Opinions, however, were divided on the subject, The meeting appointed a committee to discuss with the company the reasons for the dismissals. The following new executive was elected President, Mr. F. Hill; vicepresident, Mr. E. Logan; secretary, Mr H. Peoples; committee, Messrs. A. Blanchard, R Gilpin, T. P. Winikeri, T. Woods and C. Keogh. The committee will hold office for one month and the annual meeting will then be held. The executive is to meet represents lives ol the company to-morrow regard ing the insertion of a disputes committee clause in the industrial agreement between the company and the union. Mr. Cook expects to make an official announcement upon the position later in the week.