OTAHUHU DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23648, 4 November 1938, Page 12

OTAHUHU DISPUTE

DEADLOCK REACHED THE MINISTER’S TERMS REJECTED BY EMPLOYEES SUPPORT FROM HUTT WORKERS (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND. Nov. 3. No progress was made to-day in the dispute between the employees of the Otahuhu Railway Workshops and the department concerning the employment of non-skilled men in the boilermaker’s shop, and the 1600 men involved were idle throughout the day. A position of stalemate had virtually been reached to-night, neither side accepting the conditions stipulated as a preliminary to the opening of negotiations. During the way the men communicated with the three southern workshops to ascertain the attitude of the staffs there on the issues of the dispute. Statement By Employees The men assembled at the workshops at the usual hour this morning, the special trains for workers running as usual from the outer suburbs. A mass meeting was held shortly after 7.30 a.m.. when a message from the Minister of Railways (Mr D. G, Sullivan) was submitted. It was to the effect that a discussion could not be opened until the men resumed work unconditionally. This was rejected by the meeting and the’ committee acting for the men subsequently issued the following statement; “ The committee responsible for conducting the negotiations in connection with the stoppage of work consider it essential at the outset to issue definite instructions to all the staff affected that it was their bounden duty to maintain discipline and protect Government propei’ty. The committee is pleased to say that this instruction is being obeyed implicitly. despite rumours to the contrary. “The present state of the dispute from our point of view,” the statement continues, “is that we are prepared to resume work pending official negotiations, provided that the department agrees to allow the men to resume work under the conditions prevailing prior to Wednesday. This decision has been communciated to the officials of all our organisations, including the Federation of Labour in 'Wellington, which is busily engaged with the Minister in endeavouring to bring about a settlement with the least possible delay." Wild Rumours Current It was explained that wild rumours had been current in the city and suburbs to the effect that the men had been destroying property. The conditions on which the men were prepared to resume work required the department to withdraw the instructions under which two labourers were assigned to jobs in the boilermakers’ shed at wages lid an hour less than the prevailing trade rates. While the issues in dispute seemed trivial, there were f ar-reaching principles involved, stated several of the men. It had come to the men’s knowledge recently that private employers were claiming the same right as the department to pay for semiskilled work at rates below those usually in force. It was alleged that the conditions in the workshops had been quoted in support of such elaims. Spread of Dispute Discussed The possibility of the dispute spreading to involve the three other departmental workshops was discussed when a telegram was received from the Hutt shops, where about 2000 ipen are employed, that they would stand solidly behind any action taken by the Otahuhu employees. Later in the day the men s representatives communicated with the staffs at the Christchurch and Dunedin workshops to ascertain their attitude on the dispute. It is expected that this will be available for the men’s Information in the morning, when a further meeting is to be held at the workshops. The men remained at the shops throughout the day. A series of impromptu connects was arranged, and an improvised loud-speaker outfit was brought into commission.

Disciplinary Measures ' The chief interest m the afternoon was the payment of the fortnightly wages due. Strict disciplinary measures were brought into force and pickets were stationed at various points to guard property and to ensure that no unauthorised persons entered the yards. A strict watch was also maintained over" commodities brought into the premises. There was greater freedom allowed the men by the management, and no objections were raised against men leaving the works when they presented feasible reasons, Neither the management nor the committee and the pickets would countenance r general departure for home until close on the usual hour for ceasing work. The workers’ special trains from Henderson and Papakura, which pick up workmen en route, are to run to-morrow as usual to convey the men to the workshops. The workers travel by concession tickets which are valid for a complete week at a time. No additional expense is being incurred by the department in running trains even though the works are idle. TRADESMEN APPREHENSIVE DILUTION OF SEMI-SKILLED LABOUR HOPES OF EARLY SETTLEMENT (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov, 3. While officials connected with the Railway Trades Union are not prepared to discuss the merits of the dispute which has led to a stoppage of work at the Otahuhu Railway Workshops it has been ascertained from other quarters that the men fear a dilution of their skilled ranks by the appointment of semi-skilled workers at tradesmen’s rates of pay owing to the serious shortage of skilled artisans. It was stated that the Railways Department had some understanding with skilled tradesmen that temporary appointments of their semiskilled helpers might be made and that these men should receive the

lov/est rate of tradesmen’s pay, if after. two months’ experience they satisfied the workshops manager regarding their competence for the higher class of work. It was also a definite part of the undertaking that when the shortage of fully-trained tradesmen had been overcome these temporary appointments would be cancelled and the men concerned would revert to their semi-skilled positions. It is suggested that the crisis has arisen through fear of over-dilution of the skilled tradesmen’s ranks by semi-skilled workers and that the arrangement is likely to be permanent. In reply to a question Mr S. Ingram, general secretary of the Railway Tradesmen’s Association, stated: “ We are dealing with the Government, and are optimistic that we will get a satisfactory settlement with the least possible delay.” WORK AS USUAL AT HUTT QUESTION OF SYMPATHETIC ACTION (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 3. Work is proceeding as usual at the Lower Hutt Workshops, and it is thought unlikely that there will be any action in sympathy with the Otahuhu strikers. POSITION AT HILLSIDE ACTION BY MEN IMPROBABLE NO SYMPATHY~wiIH STRIKERS While officials were reticent when approached by an Otago Daily Times reporter yesterday afternoon with regard to the position of employees at Hillside, the general opinion among the men at the_ workshops indicates that there is Uttle possibility of any action being taken in Dunedin to support the Otahuhu workers. In fact, it was stated by one of the men who was in a position to know that 95 oer cent, of the men at Hillside had no symoathy with the northern employees’ action and considered that they were distinctly illadvised in taking the drastic course they had.