RADIO SET WORKERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 201, 26 August 1930, Page 3

RADIO SET WORKERS.

ARE THEY ELECTRICIANS ? ■ ARBITRATION COURT CASE. ! (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, Monday. A case to determine whether those who worked with radio sets were to be classed as electricians was heard in the Arbitration Court to-day, when the inspector of awards, Mr. E. W. F. Gohns. applied for an enforcement by way of an interpretation. Radio Specialists, Ltd., the defendant, was alleged to be under the electrical workers' award, but the company submitted that the award did not apply to it. The inspector said the defendant employed two youths at a rate of pay that was less than the rate provided for by the award. The defendant, on the other hand, contended that the two employees were not governed by the award. It was stated that the youths in question assisted in the installation and repair of radio sets. D. A. Morrison, proprietor of D. A. Morrison and Company, in evidence, said the youths did not work on the electric radio sets. This branch of the work was in the hands of a licensed electric wireman. They were allowed to work on the battery sets only, but these were in no way connected with electrical work. On the other hand, a man required no radio knowledge to obtain a wireman's license. The youths employed by the defendant had not sufficient to learn to warrant their being tied up for five years as apprentices. The work did not require much skill. He thought they should be under a separate award. Witness also stated that the youths erected wireless aerials and replaced valves. Some time ago witness had asked for an interpretation of the electrical workers' award as applicable to radio workers, but he nad received no reply. Mr. Justice Frazer said he would give his decision in writing, as no doubt the same question would be raised in other places.