NO AGREEMENT REACHED

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1934, Page 9

NO AGREEMENT REACHED

IRON WORKERS’ WAGE CLAIM RESTORATION OF RECENT CUTS. EMPLOYERS REFUSE INCREASE. CONCILIATION COUNCIL ADJOURNS By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Restoration of the wages cuts imposed in the last two years and re-establish-ment of a basic wage in industry at 2/3 an hour were sought by engineers, moulders, boilermakers, iron, ship and bridge builders of New Zealand (with the exception of Wellington and Marlborough) in a claim for an award heard by the Conciliation Council this morning. Another demand was for a 40-hour week. The respondents were the New Zealand Ironmasters’ Association and other employers. Tire employers counter proposed a 44-hour week and wages on the following scale: Pattern makers 2/- an hour, tool makers 1/11, engineers 1/10J and down to 1/8 for grinders. Introducing the claims, Mr. J. Roberts said that the dispute had been proceeding since 1932. Employees refused to believe that their employers, with whom they were on fairly good terms, would not give them an award with a reasonable rate of wages. They believed that without an agreement there would be a feud in the industry. . After discussion Mr. Roberts remarked that the employees were doing all the talking and the employers were saying very little. Mr. T. O. Bishop, employers’ agent: I might as well make it clear at once that the employers are not prepared to advance their proposals regarding wages.

Mr. Roberts: In other words you do not want an agreement because you know very well that we will not accept a wage for a skilled man that is lower than that paid to a navvy. As no agreement could be reached the council adjourned sine die.