Major Industrial Dispute Over Carpenters' Union Men Going Slow Seems Inevitable

Wanganui Chronicle, 18 February 1949, Page 5

Major Industrial Dispute Over Carpenters' Union Men Going Slow Seems Inevitable

2000 Auckland Unionists Will Have Been Paid Off By Today AUCKLAND. Last Night (PA). —Many Auckland building contractors at. mid-day Imlay served dismissal notices on their carpenters. Similar action was taken at intervals throughout the afternoon by others, in conformity with the decision of the Master Builders’ Association, which, claims that its members advised today that they are giving it unanimous support.

Other workers in the building trade will continue their employment, but it may not be possible lo find work for them for more than a fortnight if the carpenters stay out.

At this stage a major industrial dispute seems unavoidable. Two thousand carpenters and joiners in the Auckland Metropolitan area will be unemployed tomorrow, building operations, particularly on State houses, will be at practically a standstill.

Though the Master Binders Association appealed to the Government lo r its support in resisting the demands of the union and upholding the law, the Government has not yet intervened. It is reluctant to step in, though an unofficial approach was made to the Minister of Labour (Mr. McLagan). Both sides stand firm by their declarations of policy, while homeseekers and those awaiting State houses anxiously await the outcome. Employers are watching the trial of strength as closely as trade union organisations.

“This is an all-out light,” declared one.

Auckland's master builders are the first group of employers to make an uncompromising stand against union demands. There is a feeling that capitulation would rock the industrial structure of the Dominion. Though every means of reaching settlement seems to have been exhausted, there is still, it is understood, a possibility that a tribunal may be set up under the Strikes and Lockouts Emergency Regulations. Employers organisations are supporting the master builders and the more militant sections of

the trades union movement are aligning themselves with the carpenters. "Though the Carpenters’ Union was determined to defy the Arbitration Court and press its demands illegally, the builders, with all other employers, were emphatic tliat the court’s decision should be upheld,” said a statement by the Auckland Master Builders' Assocition today. "Practically every member ot the association and every other builder in Auckland and South Auckland had advised that they were 100 per cent, behind the association, and would implement its decision to the full. The union had said employers were creating a lockout. This was not the case. Jobs would remain open to all building tradesmen except members of the Carpenters’ Union. Dismissal notices were handed to some Auckland carpenters as early as 10 a.m. today, when they received their pay. Similar action was taken on other building jobs at intervals throughout the day. Under their award the men are entitled tq four hours’ notice of dismissal, which includes two hours for sharpening and attending to their tools. Carpentry trade trainees under two years' contract of service with the Rehabilitation Department are not involved in the dispute, though they are members of the Carpenters’ Union. Normally, after four months of instruction, they go out under an instructor to undertake the building of State houses. There are 467 trainees in Auckland, Whangarei and Kaikohe. Of these 249 are extension trainees (in their second year). They are building State houses at Tamaki, Bayswater, Birkenhead, Whangarei and Kaikohe. It is not yet known how certain sections of the freezing industry and other manufacturers of perishable goods will carry on without thenmaintenance carpenters, it these men are dismissed.