IS IT A LOCK-OUT?

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8738, 21 May 1914, Page 5

IS IT A LOCK-OUT?

TROUBLE AT OTIRA TUNNEL 1 MEN OBJECT TO CONTRACT WORK. Press Association. GREYMOUTH, May 20. Hearing ’that there was trouble at the Bealey end of the tunnel an Arguis” reporter interviewed Mr H. 1. Armstrong, secretary of the Morkois Union, as to the causes. Ho gave tho following account: — Since McLean and Sons gave up the contract for tho Otira tunnel the 1 üblic Works Department had earned out the work by day labour, and, accoidiug to statements made by Ministers, had given satisfaction. They were satisfied with the progress made. About throo weeks ago a notice was posted at the Boaley end stating that according to instructions from the Minister the tunnel work would bo done ou contract from May 4th. The men then held a meeting to discuss tho position and passed a resolution refusing to take contract work. They also sent a deputation to the engineer in charge to explain their reasons for not taking contracts. The engineer agreed to hold tho contracts back for a fortnight, and in the meantime would try to arrange conditions and prices that would bo more satisfactory to the men. The deputation again met the engineer a week later and informed him that they were instructed by tho men to refuse to take work on contract. However, they discussed with him the prices and conditions. The engineer then agreed to increase the prices, and to put the tunnel in working order, to supply more tools, trucks, machines, and many other things considered necessary before starting work on contract. The deputation then reported to a meeting of the men, but the contract was again refused bv them. Mr Armstrong then telegraphed to the Minister for Public Works protesting against the contract, and contending that it would increase accidents, which were already far too numerous. The Minister’s reply was to the effect that ids engineer had reported that progress was unsatisfactory and that a change to the contract system was necessary. Tho nest move by the department was to send Mr Cowing, who is in charge of tho Bealey end, to interview each, man individually and put down names for or against contract work. Some were told that if they did not take tho contract they would bo locked out. Others were told that no one would know how they voted, but the boss had to know in every case. ‘Terhaps this is the kind of secret ballot that Mr Massey is going to give us in the new hill.”

On Sunday last the men tad another meeting, and notwithstanding the objections to tho contract agreed to take it sooner than have trouble as soon as tho conditions agreed to by tho department had been complied with. However, tho department has not kept its part of the agreement, but instead has locked the men out and closed down work. According to the Industrial Disputes Act passed last session, whether the union is registered under tho Arbitration Act or not fourteen days’ notice must bo given to the Minister for Labour of the intention to strike, and by the employer of his intention to lock ont, which was not done by tho department. It will bo interesting now to see, says Mr Armstrong, whether tho Public Works Department will be prosecuted for a breach of the Industrial Disputes Act. Tho men were willing to start the contract as soon as the department complied with its part of the agreement. “Another square deal for Labour,” added Mr Armstrong.