CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 49, 26 February 1918, Page 2

CONCILIATION COUNCIL

FURNITURE TRADE DISPUTE. FULL SETTLEMENT REACHED. The Conciliation Council arrived at a full settlement of the dispute filed in the furniture trade, Mr. T. Harle Giles, Commissioner, presided. The assessors for th c employers were Messrs. W. J. Cousins, W. T. Smith, and W. H. Cooke, and for the union Messrs. D. R. Kennedy ( Wellington). A. E. Adams, and E. A. Ward. Mr. .0. Grosvenor was advocate for the employer, and Mr. W. Mason for the union. An application for exemption by the Kauri Timber Company was granted. Application by Mr. T. P. Birch for exemption of picture frainers, and by Messrs. T. Bishop and Sons for exemption of piano manufacturers, were both v declined. The agreement arrived at is on the lines of an award recently made in Wellington. It carries a 10 per cent bonus to all employees. The week is fixed at 44 hours, ajid the minimum pay 1/6 per hour for journeymen cabinet makers, upholsterers, chair and frame makers, machinists, wood carvers, and polishers. The pay for picture framers and wire mattress workers is fixed at 1/4J per hour, labourers 1/1* per hour. The overtime rates are, time and a-quaxter first two hours, time and a half to 10 p.m.. and thereafter double time. It is also provided that double time be paid for Snndays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday, and time and a hnlf for holidays. Apprentices pay was fixed as! follows: First year 0/ per week, second : 13/, third 17/. fourth 22/. and fifth 30/. Female workers' pay is fixed as follows: First year 12/6, second 17/6, third 22/6, fourth 27/6, and fifth 32/6, provided that no worker over the age of twenty years shall he paid less than 20/ per week. The ngreement extends until January 31. 1020. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. T. Harle Giles for the able manner in which he conducted the- proceedings.