WORKSHOPS IDLE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21184, 3 November 1938, Page 6

WORKSHOPS IDLE

1600 Men Affected Employment of NonTradesmen By leieeraoh A«soclatuw AUCKLAND. November 2. As a result of labourers being employed on work which it was contended should be undertaken by boilermakers, over 1600 employees at the Otahuhu Railway Workshops ceased work today. This action was determined at a mass meeting during the lunch hour, and while the men remained at the works throughout the afternoon, only apprentices continued at their ordinary employment. The trouble is the development of an acute shortage of skilled boilermakers, which has been experienced at the W’orkshops for a considerable time. Fully a year ago differences arose between the boilermakers and the Department in regard to the manning of certain jobs. At that time there was a stoppage of work, the men resenting the proposal of the Department to employ labourers on the machines and other work which boilermakers claimed should be performed by tradesmen only. The differences were adjusted at that time, but it is understood that the shortage of tradesmen persisted. It was found necessary by the management this morning to assign two labourers to work in the boilermakers shop, and at 8.30 the boilermakers held a meeting to consider the position. Representations were made to the management, the negotiations continuing until the lunch ~our. when no satisfactory settlement had been reached. Mass Meeting Held At this stage the boilermakers decided to acquaint the whole staff of over 1600 employees with the position. A largely attended mass meeting was held, and it was resolved to cease work while certain discussions proceeded with the Department. A committee representative of all shops was appointed to handle matters in the dispute, but with the approval of the men. a skeleton staff remained on duty to continue essential services. Several hundred apprentices were also not affected, while members of the clerical staff, who are members of the Railway Officers' Institute, continued their work. Shunters at the workshops were also unaffected. With the arrival of the nightstaff of about 70 men at 4 p.m„ the position was explained to them and they returned to their homes shortly after. Strict Control at Gates Throughout the afternoon a strict measure of control was maintained at the entrance to the works, although idle men were not permitted to leave the yards without a special permit from the management until shortly before 4 p.m. which is the usual hour for ceasing w’erk. Similarly no one was allowed to enter the works except by authority, even a telegraph boy being closely questioned. However, there was a general exodus of the staff at 4 o’clock, workers’ trains for northern and southern suburbs leaving according to schedule shortly after. Within half an hour the works were practically deserted, and the few unusual traces of the excitement previously apparent subsided. While no statement was issued either by the men or the management, it is understood that the issues of the dispute involve the right of the Department to assign labourers to jobs at rates of wages below the standard payment to tradesmen in that particular shop. The boilermakers are understood to have no objections to the promotion of labourers to this class of work so long as skilled men are not available. Infringement of Principles The men contend that employment of non-tradesmen at rates below standard is tantamount to an infringement of the craft principles. The Unions covering the men involved in the dispute are the Boilermakers’ Union, Railway Tradesmens Association, and Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. The committee appointed to-day includes representatives of each organisation, and in addition to the local negotiations. Union representatives in Wellington discussed the matters in dispute with executive officers of the Department. Progress in the negotiations will not be known by the men until to-morrow morning. They will assemble at the workshops at the usual hour, and at a further mass meeting the position will be discussed in the light of the overnight development. Government's Attitude In a statement made in reply to enquiries this evening, the Minister of Railways (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) said that there would be no discussions until the men had resumed work unconditionally. SubsequenUy the Government would determine its course of action.