MILK TRADE DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 202, 26 August 1919, Page 7

MILK TRADE DISPUTE.

.SEKK AWARD. A Council of Conciliation, presided over by the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. T. Harle Giles), sat in Auckland this morning in connection with a dispute between the Auckland Creameries and Cheese and Butter Factories Fjnployeca' Lnion and 'Messrs. Aiubirry, Ltd.. and others, in which the woikcre sought wages and conditions for men engaged in the preparation of milk for human oonisumjiticn.

The assessors for the union were Messrs. A. E. Beechery. YV. Darling, ami Wetsley Richards, and for t-he employers Messrs. T. H. Chapman (Ambury's. Ltd.). C. Johnston I Auckland Milk Company), and F. Massey (Takapuna Dairy Co.). with Mr. S. E, Wright at; aeseesor.

The union sought a 4S-hour week, with the following wages clauiso: — Manager. £4 10/ per w"eek: s<vondclass engine driver, C 4 5/ per week: man in charge of machinery where an engine driver's certificate is not required. £4 per week: -workers employed on pasteurisers, separatorri. claritiers* or receiving or dispatching milk or cream. £4 per week: motor lorry drivers, £4 5/ per week: horse drivers, two horses r> r more. £4 per week: one horse, £3 13/ per week: all others. O 10/ per week. Other clauses a=ked for were in respect to overtime .fat time and ahaJf for the firs-t two hours and double time, thereafter), Sunday work, lulidavs, piecework, etc.

In their counter-claims the employeroffered a 60-hour week (not. applicable to drivers of motors or horses), and wages as follows:—Second-class enginedriver, £4 5/i uneertificated enginedriver's position, £:> 8/ti: workers on pasteurisers, separators, clarifiers, or receiving or dispatching milk or cream. £:$ 5/: motor lorry drivers, £3 !)/, £! 11/«5, and £3 14/, according to weight of lorry; one-horse drivers. £3 6/; two \>r more horses, £3 S/tj. Tlie counter-claims also made provision for youths' wages, ranging from £1 to £2, and for casual labour. \aiious modifications Wjjre proposed in respect of other clauses of the claims.

The eommisioner briefly reviewed the claims and counter-claims, and Mr. Weeley Richard?, in opening tlie case for the union, remarked that the award for wa« in respect of men who hitherto had not had their wages and conditions regulated under the Act, and who had been steadily losing ground, notwithstanding minor advances following on improvements in the conditions and wages of allied workers. Council then went into committee.