PETONE GAS WORKERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10801, 18 January 1921, Page 5

PETONE GAS WORKERS

THE 3/- BONUS APPLICATION OF MEN THROWN OUT. INTERESTING DISCUSSION. The following letter from Mr L. Glover, secretary of the, Wellington Gas Workers’ Union, was read «t last night's meeting of the Petone Borough Council relative to the Arbitration Court's recent decision in the bonus case: —"‘At a general meeting of the union held on 'January 13th it was pointed out that your council had not seen lit to pay to your gas workers the bonus which has been granted by tlie Arbitration Court. I would bo pleased if you would bring the matter up with a view of having the wages of the men employed in the Petone Gas Works settled satisfactorily.” The Mayor remarked that the Petone gas workers were working under aa agreement and did not oome within the powers of the Arbitration Court’s JBs bonus. If the council thought It fit the men could bo given the extra 3» bonus. It- was purely a matter for the council. The present wage paid was £5 12s per week, and the effect would not be very high, as it would only apply six men. “MEN WELL PAID.” Councillor Hay thought they wore well paid and at the conference got all they wanted. The men at the conference would not have anything to do with the Arbitration Court, and now they wanted to reap the benefits of -the court’s decision. The gas stokers were well paid and received good holidays. Why should six men run the council and the borough. If tfiey created trouble, well then, the council should close the gas works. Councillor jChurcbouee moved that the gas workers should receive the 3s bonus. Councillor Tovey seconded the motion. * Councillor Hay asked why the gas stokers should get the 3s bonus while the other council employees had to go without it. Councillor Kyle said he would like to add to the motion that the men receiving £4 7s 6d per week should also be granted the 3s bonus. Councillor Bedingfield said that both Councillors Churchouse and Tovey failed to realise that the bonus was levied on the basis of the cost of living, and i that the men received more under the existing private agreement. He suggested that the matter should be' held over, aa if the council was not careful it would find itself in -financial difficulties. , COUNCIL AND “DEEP WATER.” Councillor Cook said that if the council considered the wages 1 paid to stokers, £5 12a, per week, inadequate, then the wages of the considerably lower paid servants of the council a needed, raising. The council was getting into deep water. Councillor Tovey wished to make ,it clear that the granting of the Se bonus if carried should apply to all gas workers. The motion was put and lost, only Councillors Tovey and Churchouse. and the Mayor -voting in favour. The Slayor: The motion is lost; now we’ll have Mr Glover down on ns. Councillor Churchouse: Well, I’ll move to test the opinion of the council: “That all the council’s employees receive the 3s bonus.” Councillor Anderson (addressing the Mayor): Oome an, I am waiting for you to second Councillor Churcbouse’s motion.

The Mayor: Now, please don’t he personal ; if - yon will resume your seat I will explain things. Councillor Anderson: I am .not personal. I am addressing the Mayor, not Mr J. W. McEwan; you are not consistent. After further argument the discussion fell through for want of a seconder to Councillor Churchouse’s motion.