BOYCOTTING THE “RED FEDS.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3693, 30 November 1912, Page 8

BOYCOTTING THE “RED FEDS.”

PREFERENTIAL AGREEMENT FOR AH IBTR ATI ON I STS.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM]

AUCKLAND, Nov. 29

The agreement entered into between the Taupiri Company and the recent-ly-formed Huntly Miners’ Union is of particular interest, inasmuch as it practically gives preference of employment to miners outside the Federation cf Labor. There is nothing to prevent .members of the Federation of Labor joining the new Union, and there is an impression that they will endeavor to swamp the new Unionists and in time -get compelto control. This contingency has, however, been foreseen in the drawing up of the agreement and it remains to he seen how far the precautionary measures will prove effective. The agreement which has been arrived at provides for an increase in wages of 2d per ton on the output, which, on an average of 35 tons per week, means an increase of 6s per week per man. The agreement provides that in future employees shall join the Union within one week of their employment by the Company and further* that the Company may at any time, on the application of the Union, dismiss any employee who refuses to join the Union after being given 14 davs’ notice to do so.

At the present time there are between 500 and 600 men employed about the -mines at- Huntly. Of those over 100 are on .the roll of the Union recently formed under the auspices of, the Arbitration Court. The provisions of the new agreement apply uiiiy to -members of the new Union. There has been an increase of from 6d to Is per day in day wages and working time has been decreased by an hour on alternate Saturdays.