ENGINEERS' CONDITIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20620, 19 July 1930, Page 12

ENGINEERS' CONDITIONS

MEN ON PUBLIC WORKS.

AN AGREEMENT REACHED

END OF LONG NEGOTIATIONS

An agreement with the Government covering all branches of engineering work on public works has been reached by representatives of tho engineering trade after negotiations extending over a period of about ten years. The agreement, which is expected to be in operation in about a fortnight, is on the lines of the existing Dominion award relating to (he engineerin"- trade, and will affect about 1000 men engaged on public works in New Zealand. Mr. R. F. Barter, secretary of the Auckland branch of tho Amalgamated Engineers' Union, who returned from Wellington yesterday, said the agreement is of considerable importance, as in the past such men as boilermakers, moulders and sheetmetal workers had not been covered by any special conditions. In Wellington Mr. Barter was associated with Mr. CI. T. Thurston, of Christclnirch; Mr. A. Rice, of Dunedin j Mr. A. Black, of Wellington, and Messrs. W. J. Jordan and R. Scruple, M.P.'s, in finalising details of tho agreement with tho Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. B. Taverner. Mr. Barter said yesterday that in the past engineers had worked haphazardly without any special rates of overtime or other considerations shown to workers covered by the Dominion award. It was argued before the Minister that a 44-hour week should be worked on public works.instead of a 47-hour week, and that preference should bo given to unionists. MARINE EXAMINATIONS. POSI TION OF APPRENTICES. A deputation waited on the ex-Minister of Marine, the Hon. J. (1. Cobbe, in Wellington on Thursday, and discussed the qualification of apprentices to sit for marine engineers' examinations. .Mr. P. K. Barter, secretary of the Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Engineers' Union, a member of the deputation, told the Minister that some employers gave their apprentices particular jobs to do during their apprenticeship, and (bus stultified their qualifications to sit for their tickets, although the work to be done was classified in the contracts of apprenticeship. The Minister pointed out that th&> Marine Act had been amended so that apprentices could carry on their time after finishing their term to enable them to qualify to sit for their tickets. Mr. Barter said that unfortunately some employees were dismissing boys as soon as they were out of their time, and it was very difficult to find them other positions. Jhe Minister said he recognised tho disabilities under which some of the boys were working, and promised to give a written decision after having gone further into the question.