WORKER’S DISMISSAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 25 November 1936, Page 8

WORKER’S DISMISSAL

CASE AGAINST PICTURE COMPANY i INSPECTOR BRINGS ACTION f Per Prcß? A«*oclatlon. 1 NAPIER, Nov. 24. Claiming that Freeman Steel, operator at the Gaiety Picture Theatre had been d'smissed from the employ of the Thompson Payne Picture Co. because he was entitled under the provisions of the Finance Act, 1936, to an increase in the rate of his remuneration and further he was dismissed by reason merely of the fact that he was an official or member of an industrial union thereby committing a breach of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, Mr. E. A. Wood, of Napier, inspector of factories, is proceeding against Mr. H. W. Thompson, managing-director of the company, for a sum of £25 on each charge. A lengthy hearing before Mr. J. Miller.. S.M., in the Napier Magistrate's Court to-d/ay failed to reach a conclusion and it was adjourned until Thursday week. Mr. John Mason is appearing for Thompson. Steel, in evidence, said he had been with the Thompson Payne Company for 17 years. He was dismissed on August 15 last. Requests were made to witness by Thompson to sign an agreement but he refused saying he was prepared to abide by the rise or fall in wages as a unionist. He said that Thompson said that if he did not sign he was “out on his block and out for good.” Witness said that Thompson had objected to holding union meetings and they had lost all confidence in him for not divulging what had occurred at these meetings. Under cross-examination witness denied he was a trouble-maker. Mr. Mason then read a petition to Thompson from the theatre employees requesting that Steel be not reinstated under any circumstances. Witness stated that there must have been pressure brought to bear on them to sign. In evidence, John Oliver said he was employed for a time at the theatre. He asked Mr. Thompson why Steel had been dismissed, the reply being that they did not like him being secretary of the union, although they did not mind him being a member. Regard ng the signing of the requisition by the staff, Alexander Alfred Lett said “everyone else did and I had to think of my job.” He added that he had signed it of his own free will. Katherine Reston, secretary of the I company, said she was responsible for I asking that Steel be not reinstated, her reason being that she wanted more harmony in the business. Margaret Tudehope, in relating a conversation she had had with Mrs. Thompson, said the latter had told her they were not going to have anyone on the staff who was in a union. John Payne, a life director of the company, said that the matter of the Steel dismissal should have been dealt with by the full directorate of [the company. Thompson had made statements that any member of the staff who “talked union would go out [on his ear.” Witness did not agree with th s attitude and warned them that the Government had made laws and that it was nn nsp fip-hfino-

ana mat it was no us° lighting. The hearing was adjourned unt December 3.