PLUMBERS’ TROUBLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10207, 18 February 1919, Page 5

PLUMBERS’ TROUBLE

EMPLOYEES AND THE UNION. STOP-WORK MEETING OF MEN. A “Times” .reporter made inquiries from Mr A. W- Croskery, secretary of tho Plumbers’ .imd Gasfitters’ Union respecting a stop -work meeting held in tho Trades Hull yesterday afternoon. Mr Croskery seated that considerable dissatisfaction existed amongst the members over •the action of tlie employers in refusing to meet tho union delegates in -conference, and as this had happened qn several occasions and discontent was prevailing, it was decided that a gimoral stop-work meeting be held to enable ail members of the union to be present and give them a chance of fuli|y discussing the whole matter. The mooting was tho largesfc and most representative of plumbers over held in Wellington, and all matters were fully discussed. Members freely criticised the action of tho employers in refusing to meet the union delegates, and it ho following motion was earned unanimously: That this met: ting protests against tho arbitrary methods adopted by the employers in dealing wit* this union's request for a conference, and desires to point out that such methods will not nelp to foster an y better understanding between the employers and the union, but will tend to force tho members to adopt moi‘e drastic methods to better their condition. Considerable dis satisfaction was expressed by membei’s at the fact that it was necessary for members to work overtime in order to earn a living wage, and the meeting decided as follows : That in future n (embers refrain from working overtime ifn order to earn a living wage, as a protest against the system which compels such a condition to prevail, until slich time as the employers decide to rheot the representatives of tho uniori, when the wholo case can be fully discussed. It was decided tHat these resolutions should be forwarded to the employers, and that a further' meeting should be hold at a later dalle. STATEMENT BY MASTER PLUMBERS’ ItNION. The Wellington Master Plumbers’ Industrial Union of Employers met last night, and decided,, with reference to the stop-work meeting held by the men during the afternoon, that the matter of an increase in tlie war bonus must be allowed to go to the Arbitration Court for settlement.' On behalf of the employers, thef following statement was made to iihe press: The journeymen ; plumbers made application to tlie Arbitration Court for an increase in the mar bonus on January 27th last, and t be court will sit to hear this matter on Monday nest. Notwithstanding this a ction, a stop-work meeting was held yesterday. The Master Plumbers’ Union has always held that, where pre evision is made for a settlement under rci award, tho constitutional course si (ould be followed, and that the union 'should not go be-, hind tlie court and arrange matters with the men. It is also pointed out that the master plumbers did no t meet last night for the express purpose of considering 'this matter, but as a, meeting was held ito discuss other mi Iters, the question of the stop-work meeting was considered.