TRADE DISPUTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 8, 11 January 1899, Page 5

TRADE DISPUTES.

AUCKLAND PLUMBERS AND GAS-

FITTERS.

Yesterday an application was made to Mr U. G. Thomas, Clerk of Awards, that an industrial dispute between the Auckland Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Metalworkers Industrial Union of Workmen and the Masters i-e referred to the Conciliation Board for settlement. A meeting of the Board has therefore been called for Wednesday next, the 18th of January, at 10 a.m., at the Supreme Court building to hear the points in dispute. Fifty Masters have been cited to appear. The statement of the Auckland Plumbers and Gasfitters and Metalworkers Union is as follows: —

(1) That the hours be 44.per week— that is to say. 8 hours on ordinary days and 4 oh Saturday. (2) That the rate of pay be 1/3 per hour (minimum). (3) il'hat plumbers working outside of a two-mile radius be conveyed to and from the job, or be paid travelling fare thereto and therefrom, and ordinary wages for time taken in going to such job; employers to pay all fares to and from a country job, and board and lodging while working there. (4) When working at North Shore, men to catch the 7.30 a.m. boat, returning by the 5.10 p.m. boat; Saturdays, 7.30 a.m. and the 12.10 boat. All fares to be paid by employers. -(5) That overtime shall be at the following rates:—From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., time and a-quarter; from 9 p.m. to 12 (midnight), time and a-half; after 12 o'clock, double time. (6) That work done ou Saturdiiy afternoons be charged for at the rate of time and a-half. '

(7) That overtime for holidays, including New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Queen's Birthday, Anriiversary Day, Boxing Day, and Prince of Wales' Birthday shall be paid for at the rate of time and a-half up till 5i o'clock, and double time' after that. For Sunday, Christmas Day, and Good Friday, double time right .hrough. (8) That all apprentices shall serve six years. The number of apprentices shall not exceed 1 to 2 journeymen, the proportion to be gauged by full employment of journeymen for two-thirds full time during the previous six riionths.

(9) That only two classes of labour shall be recognised, viz., apprentices and journeyriien. (10) That workers who at present come under the definition of improvers having at the trade for any period not exceeding the term of prenticeship, shall forthwith enter into- a proper agreement with an employer to serve the balance of term, and shall receive a certificate on the completion of their term of six years, which shall declare them to be duly qualified journeymen.

(11) That the wages of apprentices shall be 6/ for the first year; 9/ for the second; 12/6 for third; 15/ for fourth; £1 for the fifth; and £1,5/ for the sixth. •

(12) That on all country jobs, necessitating living from home, all travelling expenses thereto and therefrom, including board and lodging, shall be paid, by employers. (13) That employers shall provide men with s6lderh.g-bolts, iron pipefitting tools, metal-pots, plumbingirons, mandrils, and files.

(14) That pay-day be Friday,

(15) That plumbers who, through old age or some physical debility, may not be considered able to earn the minimum wage, shall be paid such wage as shall be agreed upon by a committee from the employers and the Union, and,if they cannot agree, by the Chairman cr the local Board of Conciliation. '

Mr Jas. Req-an will represent the Union. The members of the Board are- the Rev. Collins (chairman), Messrs Shera, Holland, Pawcus, and Lucas. ,