FISH FACTORY WAGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 266, 9 November 1932, Page 3

FISH FACTORY WAGES.

SUCCESSFUL CONCILIATION. AWARD FOR TWO YEARS. The fish factory workers (including all employees except men on the boats) and employers in Auckland and Thames yesterday agreed upon an award in conciliation council —one of the few instances of agreement since the Arbitration Court was abolished. Both sides showed commendable desire to come to an amicable settlement, and both amended their claims after discussion round the table. Mr. P. Hally, conciliation commissioner, presided. The employers were represented by Messrs. J. Enwright, H. Deighton, C. Matthews and S. Ensor, and the union by Messrs. A. Mackenzie (secretary), A. Taylor, J. Sutton and J. Kevey. Mr. >S. E. Wright was advocate for the employers. The first point on which concessions were made was that of hours. The employers asked 48 and the men 44, but a compromise was made at 47. There was the appearance of a deadlock on wages, but after both eides .had "put their cards on the table," the employers complaining of no dividends and the men complaining of the cost of living, a. 5 per cent reduction of the present rates was agreed upon, with a. modification of overtime. The method of working shifts was made more elastic in order to meet the exigen- v cies of boats arriving with loads at irregular hours. A new clause adopted permitted the employment of one youth to every two journeymen, wages to begin at 20/ a week and rise by half-yearly rises to £2 5/ in three years, when the minimum wage would apply. Hie award is for two years, with leave to either side to ask for a revision of wages at the end of a year.

In moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Hally for the manner in which lie had conducted the proceedings, Mr. Deighton referred with pleasure to the commendable spirit of conciliation that had been shown on both sides.