THE PAINTERS' DISPUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13942, 29 June 1907, Page 5

THE PAINTERS' DISPUTE.

FROM THE WORKERS' POINT OF VIEW.

Interviewed ywterday by a Times roporter in regard to the reference filed by tho Otago Painters' Industrial Union of Employors, Mr R. Breen, secretary of the Irados and Labour Council and a past president and secretary of tho Painters' Union of Workers, said that the reference of tho dispute came as a complete surprise to tho union, the filing of. the referoiieo being tho first intimation tliey had that any dispute existed. Questioned ns to what material points of differentiation thero wero between the statement filed by tho employers and tho existing award, Mr Brccn said tho employers' proposals contained an under-rato clause that differed from that in tho present award in that tlic latter provided for an cmployco first ma-king application to tho union for a permit to work for loss than the minimum wage, whereas tho new clause permitted tho employee to go direct to tho chairman of the Conciliation Board for Rich. Tho statement further proposed to do away with the present legal form of indenturing apprentices, and a clause wae substituted which, if given cilcot to, would aljow an employer very much greater freedom in. hie employing and dismissing of boys. Another new clause included provided that boje who bad sorvod tho full torni of apprenticeship of five years at tne trade cowd work for another 12 months for any employer for 30s per week. "No reference," said Mr Breen, "is mado in tho new statement to preference of employment, so that apparently employers are not prepared to conoodo preference of employment to members of the Workers' Union." Aoothor point of difference between tho . existing award and the now referenco is in connec-

tion, with suburban work. With the present award suburban work is dcGnod as work performed at a distance of moro than ono mile and a-half from the employer's place of business, and with work so performed provision is made for tho payment for travelling timo at tho pay rato of one hour for every four miles, as regards both goint; to and returning from each work. Tho new proposals provido for a radius of two miles from the Post Office, and boyond that distance tho payment of 6d por'day per mile, chargeablo only ono way. "Tbo term of tho present award," concluded Mr Brecn, "expired in Novcmbor, 1904, nearly thrco yoare ago, and so far as tho union las been aware tho conditions associated with that award have given general satisfaction right up to tho present time. Sinoo the employers havo soon fit to create a dispute tho union will no doubt consider the, adTisabJiJj, of fil><— counter gtopoKdc.."