WORK FOR "OUTSIDERS"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20341, 23 August 1929, Page 15

WORK FOR "OUTSIDERS"

TRANSPORT BOARD LABOUR.

UNION REPEATS COMPLAINT. APPEAL FOR RETRENCHED MEN. A reiteration of its former statement that (ho Auckland Transport Board was engaging "outsiders" in its service in preference to men discharged owing to retrenchments was inado in a statement by tho secretary of Tramways Union, Mr. J. Liddell, yesterday. At Tuesday's meeting of tho board a letter was received from tho union complaining that "outsiders" were being engaged, and the communication was received by the board, tho chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, stating that ho regretted that tho letter had ever been sent. "The suggestions it contains are improper, and soino have no foundation whatever in fact," lie declared. "May wo ask that Mr. Allum explain his reasons for such a remark," inquires tho union's statement. "Tho statements contained in our letter nro not merely suggestions, as stated by Mr. Allum, but contain facts which can bo corroborated by evidence and proven irrespective of what Mr. A llum may state. Wo definitely say that men recently retrenched, who havo mado application, have beon passed over for others who havo sinco been engaged and who have not had previous service. Wo contend that men such as thoso retrenched and holding good records in the scrvico should receive first consideration when subsequent appointments are being made. "May we state, excepting when men havo bo«n retrenched, tho union has never interfered in tho engagement of men, as wo consider it a domestic affair of the management and outsido our scope as a union, which is to protect our members in tho industry. However, we consider it is our business to protest when these men aro -being passed over for outsiders, as, if no retrenchments had taken place, the men discharged would still bo in the service. "When tho men were retrenched we asked for preference in order of the seniority they held when previously in tlio service, iu order that none should receive preferential treatment. Wo know that it is beyond Mr. Allum to answer our letter, therefore his endeavour to camouflage the issue by suggesting that our letter was improper," concludes tho union statement. "We can prove our statements, and desire the holding of an impartial court of inquiry in order that an opportunity may be given us of doing so."