ARBITRATION AWARDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 76, 28 March 1908, Page 9

ARBITRATION AWARDS.

COOKS AND WAITERS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLIXGION, "Friday,

An- order has been made by the Arbitration Court to remedy "an obvions defect" in the cooks and waiters' award, dated December 19, 1307, which does not fix the wages of waiters after the third, in hotels where more than three waiters are employed. For the purpose of remedying the defect, the Court ordered that in clause 1, under the heading of waiters, the words "third, £ 1 7/6" should be struck out, and the following words ; substituted, "third and others, S 1 7/6." ELECTRICAL - WORKERS. The dispute between the Wellington , Electrical Workers' Industrial Union and the employers has been amicably settled. According to Mr. W. J. Reardon, who appeared 'for the union, the wages of competent electrical fitters have been fused at 1/6 per hour, and the minimum rate of wages for electrical wirers shall be 1/4 per hour. Fortysix hours shall complete a week's work. When workers are engaged on country work, suitable lodging is to be provided for them when So employed. The proportion of assistants is fixed as one to every journeyman. For the first year assistants are to receive 7/ per week, 12/ per week for the second year, and 20/ per week for the third. Assistants, who have worked at the trade for a period of three years, may be employed as improvers at not less than 9d. per hour for the first 12 months, and 1/ per hour for a further period of 12 months. No improver should be employed where less than two journeymen are employed. Preference of employment is granted to Unionists, and tools are to be provided by tne employers. Any employee, while working at installing or overhauling store batteries, shall be paid 1/ per dozen in addition to the minimum. THE DRIVERS' DISPUTE. The drivers' dispute was considered this afternoon. Mr. Scott, on behalf of the employers, stated that the parties had arrived at an amicable settlement with regard to the whole of the clauses of the agreement with the exception oi clause two, which deals with -wages. This clause was to be left to the Court without any comment. Mr. Scott explained to a reporter that the terms of the agreement were on the lines of the present award, and there was very little alteration. Overtime was increased to 1/3 all round, the hours were the same and the conditions the same, except in regard to a few unimportant alterations on the lines of the present award.

Judgment was given by the Court in the case of Whiteford v. the King. The claimant was the widow of Wm. Chas. Whiteford, who died in September last, while boring a hole in a telegraph post at Kilburnie .South. Thp point at issue was whether deceased died by accident or from natural causes. The Court held that death was the result of an accident, and awarded the claimant £374, with £10 10/ costs. Mr. P. J. CRegan ap-

peared for the claimant, -and Mr. Myers for the King.

GAS STOKERS AND COKERS.

The dispute between the Wellington Gas Stokers and Cokers' Union and the Wellington Gas Company was heard today. The principal claims of the rrnirm were as follows;—A full week's work shall consist of seven shifts of eight hours per shift. The working hours shall be for each shift: Morning, five o'clock to one o'clock; afternoon, one till nine; night, nine till five. Minimum rate of wages: Leading stokers, 12/ per shift; ordinary stokers, 11/ per shift. Work done on specified holidays and Sundays to be paid for at the rate of double time. Preference was also claimed, provided there are members of the union equally competent with nonmembers to perform the work required to be done, and ready and willing to undertake it. Mr. Birch, manager of the Gas Company, said the main contention was that in regard to specifying the hours at j which to work. This was an inclinaI tion to interfere with the management of the company, for circumstances ■might arise which would necessitate the hours being made different. The rate of wages asked was strongly objected to. Dr. A. E. Souzens, MJ)., said that at the request of the union, he had examined the Gas Company's works last Thursday, and the conditions under which the men work. The place was very hot, and naturally very dirty, with a great marry fumes of noxious gas arising. Working under such conditions was unhealthy, i and would have a tendency to bronchitis. The Court reserved its decision. I