AWARD WAGES ASKED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 10

AWARD WAGES ASKED.

DRAINAGE WORKERS' PAY. DISPUTE AT TAKAPUNA. Tension exists between a section rif relief workers engaged on drainage and the Takapuna Borough Council over the question of rates of pay. A number of the men claim that they are entitled to award lates for drainage, and they have objected ( i*i the ordinary wage of 12s 6d for excavating deep trenches. The question arose, at a special meeting of the council last evening, when a previous resolution was confirmed declaring the Norwood Road, Bayswater, drainage scheme, to be relief works. "This is purely a question of finance, not of getting cheap labour." said the Mayor, Mr. J. Guiniven. "We have no obligation to find relief for unemployed men, although we are trying to do that,. We have, however, a duty to ratepayers, and it is ridiculous to suggest, that the work should bo financed out of new loan monev and award wages paid." Mi - . L. ]{. Tifchener, Mr. L. Clifton and Mr. .7. Gibson entered a strong plea for the full wages for men working on drainage. Mr. Titchener suggested a conference as the. most satisfactory solution. Mr Guiniven objected on the ground that the council would suffer indignitv by meeting its employees in conference. Thev could voice their grievance in a deputation. It was a question whether (he men should "boss" the council or the council the men. Mr. Girniven said the. alternative to declaring the job a relief work was the dismissal of a number of men who at present were employed on the relief wage. A majority of the council supported the Mayor and the resolution of confirmation was adopted.