AUCKLAND GAS MEN

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12086, 25 June 1920, Page 5

AUCKLAND GAS MEN

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Yesterday. The secretary of the Gas Employees’ Union has notified the Auckland Gas Company that the latter s refusal to grant the increased pay demanded, was considered at a special meeting. The secretary adds; “I am reluctantly compelled to advise you that it was resolved, as a protest against the inadequate wages offered, that shift workers will cease working after i p.m., and ether workers after o p.m. on Fridav, the 25th instant.” > Mr F. W. Rowley, chief officer of the Labour Department, when the announcement was made that the union was about .to take a secret ballot on the question of acceptance of the company’s terms or for extreme action, forwarded the following communication to the union:—“lt is reported that a ballot of your members has been taken on the question of accepting the company’s offer or of taking extreme measures. If ‘extreme measures’ means going out on strike I would call your attention to the fact that your , union so recently as in December last entered into an agreement with the company under the Labour Disputes Investigation Act, the currency of which runs till June, 1921. This Act provides a penalty for striking during the currency of an agreement, or for inciting a strike, of £lO for each worker; and any other person inciting is liable to a penalty of £SOO and the union £IOOO. Moreover, section 9 of the Industrial Conciliation Amendment, 19 08, makes special provision respecting the_ cessation of employment in certain important public utilities, such as the supply of gas. For a breach of this section the penalty is £25 for each worker taking part, or inciting, _ and any other person or union inciting is liable to a penalty of £SOO. I would urge you to call the attention of your members to these provisions before taking any action.” AGREEMENT COME TO AUCKLAND, Last night. The threatened gas strike was averted this evening by the efforts of Mr Gotten, S.M., who had presided when the agreement under which the gas employees are now working was framed. Mr Gotten conferred with the Union and later with the Company, and an agreement was reached on a basis which roughly amounted to “splitting the difference.” An increase on the company’s offer was conceded, which summarised, comprises an advance of wages of approximately ten shillings per week, instead of eight shillings.