ELECTRICAL TRADE.

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

ELECTRICAL TRADE.

WAGE-REDUCTION PROPOSAL.

EFFECT OF UNDER-CUTTING.

Representatives of the employers and the union in the electrical trade in Auckland met this morning as a conciliation council, Mr. P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, presiding. The union representatives were Messrs. K. Simpson (agent), A. G. Hultquist, J. A. Petrie, W. L. Cervin and A. Jack; and the employers' representatives were Messrs. S. E. Wright (agent), J. A. C. Alhnn, J. Armitage, J. Steele, and B. G. Stephens. Mr. Allum said the. employers had tried to carry on without applying for an award, but the trade was suffering from the operations of, the man with'a kit of tools, the "free lance" who did not observe the conditions of the award and could charge as little as he liked and work what hours he liked. The employers bound by the award could not compete against that. Mr. Hultquist said the man quoted by Mr; Allum was what was known as "a kerbside contractor," but his problem could not be remedied in the proceedings before the council. Even if the employers offered only 1/ an hour instead of the present award of 2/3 it would not be a solution; the kerbside contractor could still afford to under-cut them. Mr. Hultquist contended that trade had not altered to such an extent as to warrant 1/9 an hour as asked by the employers. Taking as a basis the old award and the new demands of the employers, the 'latter- asking for longer hours arid lower rates of wages, the assessors had a long and frank discussion, both sides showing a commendable spirit of conciliation. ' Tentatively both sides agreed to a 44-hour week, which could be worked in five days if a man desired. Discussion is proceeding this afternoon as to ' overtime, wages, and ' other points, the assessors agreeing that it would be better to go right through the claims arid counter-claims before coming to a hard and fast agreement on any one particular clause.