WORKERS ABSENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22523, 14 September 1936, Page 8

WORKERS ABSENT

TROUBLE AT WESTFIELI) MEN FAIL TO REPORT FERTILISER EMPLOYEES SATURDAY WORK QUESTION Fertiliser workers employed in the works of Kernpthorne, Prosser and Company's New Zealand Drug Company, Limited, at Westfield, absented themselves on Saturday, apparently because they objected to Saturday work. Although the management tried to get in touch with officials of the union, it was unable to ascertain officially whether the action of the men was intended to be confined to Saturday, or whether the absence could be construed as a protest strike that is to continue. Recently the Arbitration Court made an order permitting the industry to work on Saturdays with a 40-hour week. The application which led to the Court order was made by Wanganui and South Island works, and the result was accepted by managements generally as determining the position for the industry over the Dominion. Kernpthorne, Prosser's Wanganui; Hornbt and Burnside works are manufacturing on Saturday, apparently without trouble from employees in those particular factories It is stated that following representations from the men, two works decided to discontinue Saturday work. Kernpthorne, Prosser's men at Westfield had worked on the previous Saturday tinder protest. HIGHER WAGES DEMANDED SHIPWRIGHTS REFUSE WORK DISSATISFIED WITH 1931 PAY Because they are dissatisfied with the 1931 rates of pay which are offered and demand higher wages, shipwrights in Auckland are stated to have refused work on several vessels. The ' New Zealand Shipping Company's motor-liner Rangitane left Auckland for Lyttelton on Wednesday with much carpentering work required to be done. Such work will probably be done in other ports. Some work was required on the Federal liner Surrey, which will leave Auckland to-day, but the men refused the rates offered. The Blue Star Line motor-ship Dunedih Star has a fair amount of carpentering to be done, but the work was refused, and the vessel will probably leave Auckland to-day without the repairs being carried out. CALLIOPE DOCK HANDS NO WORK LAST SATURDAY WITH MINISTER Although civilian workers engaged at the Calliope Dock did not work on Saturday, following the precedent of the previous Saturday, it is likely that as a result of a conference .the men will now be prepared to work on Saturdays until the Government is able to bring a 40-hour week into operation at the naval base. The conference was attended by the officer in charge of the naval base. Commander C. B. Tinley, the Minister of Marine, the Hon. P. Fraser, the manager of the base, Mr. G. MoCloglirie, and by union representatives The position was thoroughly discussed, the meeting concluding with the anticipation that the men will work next Saturday on the understanding stated. About 140 workers absented themselves from the dock on Saturday. This number is larger than was the case the previous week, but extra men had been taken on. The men are employed for a 44-hour week on a casual basis and they desire a 40-hour week with no work on Saturday. After they had finished work on Friday last they were addressed by union secretaries, and they then made the decision to stay away from the dock on Saturday.