MASS MEETING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 145, 22 June 1939, Page 8

MASS MEETING

AUCKLAND CARPENTERS PROTEST ABOUT NEW AWARD L Per Press Association j AUCKLAND, June 21. Practically all building undertakings in the Auckland metropolitan area were suspended while carpenters and joiners and allied tradesmen held a stop-work meeting in the Town Hall to protest primarily against certain features of the award issued recently by the Arbitration Court. Mr. J. B. McCormack, president of the Carpenters and Joiners’ Union, presided over an attendance of 2500 nun, who ventilated their grievances from various angles, and after registering protests in a series of resolutions decided to return to work. The resolutions replied to a protest by the Auckland Master Builders at the holding of a slop-work meeting, stressed the need for the introduction by the Government of its holiday with pay Bill, commented on the serious loss of wages by men through wet weather, and endorsed a proposal that the Government should take over the entire erection of State houses. The attendance overflowed the Town Hall Concert Chamber and had to be transferred to the Town Hall proper. Orderly Meeting The meeting was orderly and, enthusiastically, a resolution was carried unanimously registering gratification at the concern expressed by the Master Builders' Association regarding the unfortunate delays in the building industry and trusting that they view with equal concern these delays caused by wet weather, which were distinctly unnecessary and illogical, as they disorganised industry and delayed the Government housing programme, thereby affecting the public generally.

A further resolution unanimously adopted, emphatically protested against the judgment of the Arbitration Court on the present award, believing such judgment to be decidedly against the weight of evidence, showing lack of understanding of working conditions, and failing to make allowance for the increased cost of living. Another resolution was carried unanimously expressing satisfaction with the intention of the Government to bring down a holidays with pay Bill. A further resolution, carried by an overwhelming majority, endorsed the recommendations that the State take over the entire control of the erection of Government houses, with a measure of workers' representatives on the management. It was also asked that a guarantee of employment be given all men, at least as good as that offered men from overseas, and in return the meeting agreed to co-operate in rapid and economical production of homes and assist in absorbing men from scheme 13 into the building trades. A declaration that they considered the stop-work meeting proposed .'or to-day by the Auckland Carpenters and joiners' Union to be unconstitutional and illegal was made by a mceting of the Auckland Master Builders' Association. It was decided to have all jobs open for work this morning. This means that while the men are free to attend the stop-work meeting if they choose, they will lose the time they take off. The following resolution was carried unanimously: “That -iror-cst possible protest be made against the action of the Carpenters .j.r.crs' Union in calling a slopwork meeting to discuss a. matter which is solely between the Arbitration Court and the unions. . It is distinctly unconstitutional and illegal and 1 it will simply have the effect of disI organising the building business and i effect the public generally at a time ‘ when delays are very undesirable."

TO RETURN TO WORK

DECISION OF WELLINGTON BUILDING WORKERS TENTATIVE RESUMPTION ( Per Pres? Association.) WELLINGTON, June 21. Tn terms of a recommendation carried with only two dissentients at a meeting of the building trades workers in the Opera House to-day, carpenters and builders’ labourers involved in the stoppage of work on the Fletcher Construction Company s housing contracts at Karori are to return to their jobs to-morrow pending immediate negotiations for the settlement of the dispute.

DISPUTES COMMITTEE SET UP

hopes of settlement [ Ter Press Association 1 WELLINGTON, June 21. The announcement that a disputes committee had been set up and would i probably meet to-morrow afternoon, l was made by the secretary of the Wellington Carpenters and Joiners' i Union, Mr. J. Moulton, to-night. A .joint meeting of the executives of the carpenters' and labourers’ organisations took place this afternoon and : negotiations were opened with the ■Master Builders’ Federation. ■ Mr. Moulton said the committee ' comprised two representatives of the | union and two of the employers, with an independent chairman. Mr. Brindle, M.L.C., had beer.suggested as

chairman and had been accepted by both sides. It is anticipated that these negotiations will result in a complete agreement, but in the event of a deadlock occurring the men have directed that , they immediately be called together again. Immediate local problems will be discussed by the committee and one or two questions having Dominion application will be discussed on a Dominion basis subsequently. It is considered probable that this will necessitate a Dominion conference of employers and workers, as only such n conference can deal effectively with the issues arising from Dominion awards.