So far 2s labour conditions are concerned, the Trinidad correspondent of "The Petroleum Times" reported last month that both the Oilfield Workers' Union and the Oilfield Employers' Association have agreed to arbitrate, and have expressed the view that both sides should appoint two arbitrators and the Governor an independent chairman. No decision has been reached as to whether the parties to the arbitration will be represented by counsel, but responsible opinion strongly favours that course, since the procedure will be a precedent for the settlement of future disputes. Meanwhile, in the oilfields, the men are workin normally; many doubtless are pinning their hopes to the forthcoming arbitration for increases beyond those granted last year. The employers, however, are treating individual cases on their own merits and granting further wage increases to deserving cases. Most companies now employ welfare officers to look into grievances, and in certain respects the relations between employers and employees are happier than for some time past.
Me-while, on October 29, the Colonial Office announced that the Governor of Trinidad had appointed an Arbitration Tribunal under Section 3 (2) (c) of the Trade Disputes 'Arbitration and Enquiry) Ordinance, 1938, to consider certain rustters in ute between the Oilfield Employers'
Association and the Oilfield Workers' Trade Union.
The terms of reference to the "Hribunal late as follows;—
(a) Whether any...general increase shall be made in the hourly, daily and weekly wage rates being paid at the date of the submission to all workmen employed by the members of the Association other than members of the junior and senior staffs of the members of the Association, and to which classes lof such workmen such increase shall apply.
ib) Whether any, and if any, what additions shall be made to the hourly wage rates under (a) for time in excess of eight hours per day and for work on Sundays and public holidays.
(c), If- any increase of wages is awarded under (a) or (b) whether such award shall be made to have a Testrospective effect to July 1, 1937, or April 1, 1933, or to any, and if so, what, intermediate date.
(d) Whether any, and if any, what leave shall be granted on full pay to workmen who have completed any, and what continuous period of service' with the menibers of the Association.
The personnel of the Tribunal comprises Sir James Baillie as chairman, Sir Henry Gollan and Mr. G. T. Neilson as employers' nominees, and Mr. J. Jagger and Mr. D. Collard as workers' nominees. The members of the Tribunal will sail for Trinidad on November 12, and the Tribunal will sit in Trinidad in December.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.