ON STRIKE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10653, 7 August 1924, Page 3

ON STRIKE.

CLAY-WORKERS “OUT.” DISPUTE OVER WAGES. Thirteen Employees Affected. The industrial unrest and dissatisfaction which have been so apparent among workers all over the world for some years past, have, it would appear, spread to Temuka. Yesterday morning considerable surprise was caused in town when it became known that la section of the employees at the N.Z. Insulator Works had gone out on strike owing to a dispute over tixe wages question. In all, thirteen employees ‘‘downed tools.” Some days ago a deputation representing the lathe workers at the Works waited upon the manager, Mr R. H. Taylor, asking for an increase in wages. The manager considered the matter, and informed the deputation yesterday that he would consider each employee individually on his merits. This re,ply did not suit the workers concerned, and they unanimously agreed to “strike” until their request was granted.

The manager, Mr Taylor, in a very explicit explanation of the matter to a representative of this paper yesterday, stated that the demand of the employees in question was unfair. He considered he was justified in judging each man on his mei’its, and paying him accordingly.

“For instance,” said Mr Taylor, “it would not be fair for a boy who

lias been at the (Works only six

months to expect the same wages V as a youth who has been working \tbere for five years. Yet that is fc\xactly wli|at they are asking for. I ifoiuted out this matter to them, if.iid told them I could not meet

|ueh a demand as that, but that /each one would be judged according to his worth. That evidently did not satisfy them, and off they went.” MORE THAN AWARD RATES. Mr Taylor .also stated that each of the employees in question was receiving more money than . was provided for under the award rates of the Clay-Workers’ Union. Only three months ago several of the very men who are now on strike received monetary increases, and expressed satisfaction with the way they were being treated; Several of the strikers, when spoken to on the matter, stated that as they were all doing the same work they considered they should be getting the same wages all round. • They had gone to the manager and put the matter before him and, as he could not fall in with their wishes, they had decided to strike.