THE BONUS QUESTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10852, 18 March 1921, Page 5

THE BONUS QUESTION

PETONE GAS-WORKERS WERE THERE BREACHES OF AGREEMENT? TALK OF LEGAL ACTION. Regarding tlie recent trouble between the Gas Workers’ Union and the I*ololl© Borough Council, as to whether tire council should pay the stokers the three shillings bonus* in which, a«s arbitrator, the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr Y,\ Newton) had given his decision in favour of the payment of the bonus to tho whole of workers covered by the agreement, a -special meeting of tho Poston© Borough Cbumcil was held last evening Hie Mayor, Sir J. W. MeEwen, presiding* NEITHER, ABLE NOR WILLING. In detailing what had transpired at the meeting between tho special commit' teo and the arbitrator* Councillor Anderson stated that he had explained that the ootuncil was neither able nor willing to pay the bonus, The council had chosen to refer the matter to an arbitrator* and therefore must now abide by the decision. The Mayor. Mr J. W. HcEiren, expressed gratification that the matter had daw ended and felt sure he was speaking also for many local gas consumers, THE QUESTION OF GO-SLOW. Whilst appreciating the fact that, the matter had now been settled, Councillor Kyle wanted to know if Hie workers had broken, their agreement by "going slow/' In reply* the Mayor ©aid he thought that wae a legal question, but the work should, have been proceeded with. Tn reality they had oommittod a breach, but then again, bad the council also committed a brench ? Councillor Cook moved : "That action be taken against the men for a breach of the agreement." This would prevent any similar rising in the future and would show the men that every time they thought they had a grievance they might ponder before acting. Ln seconding the motion, Councillor Kyle held that the council had had really no dispute. They had simply turned the applications down. The next step wae to refer the matter to a disputes committee, which was not' done until a month later. He supported Councillor Cook because he wanted to test the case and find out how the council stood. "THE LIMIT OF ENDURANCE." Councillor Beddingfield wanted to know if the council was in a position to prove that tho men had actually "gone slow." Councillor Anderson said he felt sure that the men bad gone slow. The council should have sacked the men immediately. It would now probably be clear to the men that the council had reached "the limit of endurance." In future, if the stokers were not satisfied, they could chose the alternative of relinquishing their services. Councillor Churcliouse said he would admit that the men went slow, but it must be remembered that an agreement was in force. The men merely applied for an increase which the Statisician's figures showed they were entitled to, and they had been, refused, which, in itself constituted a dispute and justified them in going slow. The M ayoT held that there was machinery provided, in the Disputes Investimation Act and the matter should be left in the hands of the Labour Department. The motion was defeated.

'Councillor Hay moved: “That the council notify the union that they will terminate with the union at the expiration of the agreement on March 31st.” If not., he would give formal notice of motion, to that effect. He strongly objected to having the council's men. interferred with by Mr Glover. It seemed almost an anomaly that some of the employees were working under the arbitration award and others- under private agreement. This very fact alone had a tendency to create friction. The Mayor maintained that if the men did not approach the council within a month or two, the resolution might he rescinded at any time and would not be binding on anyone. Councillor Tovey suggested that, to avoid friction in the future, it would be advisable to get all the men mnder an agreement and then get the judge of the Arbitration Court to ratify the agreement. This would -bring a better understanding between master and employee and create a better feeding generally. Replying -to a question by Councillor Hay, the Mayor stated that the agreement automatically ceased on March 31st, 1921, the final clause in the agreement was quite definite. Councillor Hay gave notice of motion (as detailed) and the council rose.