CITY BUILDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 36, 12 February 1931, Page 21

CITY BUILDINGS.

CARETAKERS, CLEANERS AND LIFTMEN. Prevailing conditions and the serious decline in building rentals were strongly emphasised yesterday at the Arbitration Court when the City Cleaners, Caretakers «and Liftmen's Union sought improved conditions under, an award made in 1928. ± „ The union secretary, Mr. J. Purtell, particularly made a demand' for a fortbight's holiday for these -workers, rentfree quarters for caretakers who lived on 'business premises, and the correction of anomalies for each class of worker with respect to hours. The wages paid were: —Caretakers, £4 10/; liftmen, £3 10/, and liftmen : caretakers, £4 1/. Evidence led showed that several large city firms paid more than award wages, and, in some instances* annual holidays. The applicants held" that there was no need for Sunday Avork hy cleaners, objected to some of these workers being paid at casual instead of at weekly rates, and to liftmen acting also as cleaners.- • •>. •• • - - Mr. F. E. Wright, for the several hundred employers concerned, drew the Court's attention- to business conditions, aiid 'to the consequent drop in building 'and office rentals, and said he thought it would be unwise to interfere with the award. He called a witness to give evidence on these lines, and the Court reserved its decision.