BAKERY TRADE DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21399, 25 January 1933, Page 11

BAKERY TRADE DISPUTE

LOWER WAGE PROPOSAL EMPLOYERS MODIFY SCALE PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT A further stage in the prolonged dispute between the Auckland Master Bakers' Association and the Auckland Operative Bakers and Pastrycooks' Union was reached last evening, when representatives of both organisations met in conference. Mr. S. E. Wright, secretary to the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association, presided.

The conference discussed further proposals made by the employers since the threat by the bakers last week-end that they would refuse to work next Friday evening if the redtictions sought by the employers were insisted upon. It was stated after the meeting that the 7 employers' proposals were modified in regard to the suggested schedule of wages, but the changes were not announced. They had, however, made the suggested scale approach more nearly the conditions desired by the workers. Mr. E. J. Watson, secretary to the union, said there remained comparatively little in dispute, and he considered that there were good prospects of a settlement, which, if brought about, would avoid the expressed intention of the men to refus« work. t

The modified proposals are to be submitted to the union at a special meeting in the Trades Hall, Hobson Street, this evening. If tho employers' offer is rejected it is expected that the men, about 120 of whom are affected in the city area, will remain firm in their decision to refuso work under tho new conditions.

The dispute was the subject of prolonged conciliation council proceedings toward the end of last year. The award lapsed on December 11, the new conditions being received in the bakehouses on January 13. Employees of Kent's, Limited, refused to work under the new conditions last week.