DECISION TO STRIKE

Southland Times, Issue 21831, 7 October 1932, Page 7

DECISION TO STRIKE

WORKERS IN ENGINEERING TRADE (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, October 6. A decision to strike forthwith is reported to have been made by the workers in the engineering trade at a meeting to-day in the Trades Hall. It is understood this unexpected action which arose out of a stop-work meeting of the employees of the Wellington Patent Slip Company is believed to be the outcome of reduced waqes. This morning a notice was posted bv the management of the Patent Slip Company stating that henceforth the rates of wages would be there proposed by employers when the engineers’ dispute came before the Conciliation Council.

The employees immediately held a stop-work meeting. This, it is reported, was followed later by a general meeting of unionists in the Trades Hall. It is understood the decision to strike was carried by a substantial majority and that members of the Amalgamated Engineers’ Union who are affected, will not report to-morrow morning. A representative of the employers told The Dominion this evening that in his opinion the men acted precipitately and in an ill-advised manner, especially as the negotiations in the. Conciliation Council between the union and employers are still open. “Many of their numbers are out of work at the present time and those who have jobs will be the greatest losers by the strike,” he said.