GAS WORKERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23002, 1 April 1938, Page 12

GAS WORKERS

DOMINION AWARD OBJECTIONS BY UNIONS .INCLUSION OF OTHER WORKERS! [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday Representatives of a number of other trade unions were present in the Court of Arbitration to-day when the Dominion gasworks employees' dispute was called. They attended to voice an objection to any attempt to include their members in the Dominion award sought bv tho Gas Workers' Union.

Tho situation was simply adjusted by Mr. Justice O'Rcgan telling these people that the purpose of the sitting was to hear certain evidence only, and that if they still wished to bo heard they would have that right on Monday ivhcn tho major hearing of tho dispute would take place. Most of the representatives of other unions thereupon withdrew.

Mr. J. Roberts appeared for the applicant workers, and Mr. T. 0. Bishop for the employers.

Statements Necessary Addressing the Court, Mr. F. D. Cornwell, of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, said that a number of organisations, which it was sought to cover in tho gas workers' award were objecting. " We regret of course having to raise this point in this Court," continued Mr. Cornwell. " It is not our policy to do so. We endeavour to settle these things among ourselves outside the Court, but unfortunately we are compelled to mention this matter. There are some seven or eight organisations with objections, and they desire to make a statement so far as 'their own particular organisation is concerned."

His Honor pointed out that the parties in the gas workers' dispute were still conferring. They had already agreed on a classification and he thought tho effect of that was that certain of the objecting organisations would have no reason further to object. They had excluded a number of them, and he would ask Mr. Roberts to say Something about that. When he was invited by the Court to give nn outline of the position, Mr. Roberts said it was correct that the parties had arrived at a classification and some of the parties objecting previously now had no reason to object. Carpenters for oxample had been cut right out. In the gas industry a man might do half a dozen jobs, but his principal one was the manufacture of gas. Clerical Interests "Wherever clerical workers in the eas industry aro covered by the clerical workers' award they aro not included in the gas workers' application to the Co irt," said Mr. Roberts. "They askthat the clerical workers be covered where they are ncit covered at the present time." When Mr. W. N. Pharazyn asked if he might have an opportunity of making a statement on behalf of the clerical workers, His Honor suggested that judging from what Mr. Roberts had said there would not be much objection so far as the clerical workers were concerned.

Mr. Pharazyn: I am not in agreement with what Mr. Roberts has to say. I shall have something to say about the matter later.

His Honor, observing Mr. F. P. Walsh, of the Federated Seamen's Union, standing ,at the back of the Court, paid that Mr. Walsh looked as though he might like to say something. Mr. Roberts, amid laughter, said he could assure the Court that the gas workers were not trenching on the preserves of the Federated Seamen's Union.

Replying to representations by Mr. H. Thomson, representing the plumbers and gasfitters, M:r. Roberts said the parties, having agreed upon a classification, would not be altering it. "We have cut oi|t his plumbers," he added to the Court.

Mr. Roberts said the classification agreed upon had been based mainly on the systems adopted for gasmaking in New Zealand. It was the first time such a classification had been made in this country.

Evidence was then called by Mr. Roberts to describe certain duties of gas woi kers.