AWARDS SOUGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 196, 19 August 1936, Page 15

AWARDS SOUGHT.

PLUMBERS' WORK.

CONFLICT OF OPINIONS

COURT RESERVES DECISION.

The application for an award by the Auckland Plumbers and Gasfitters' Union was continued this morning in the Arbitration Court. The union is represented by Mr. J. Clark and the employers by Mr. W. E. Anderson.

H. ,G. Pinel, manager of A. and T. Burt, Ltd., estimated that half the ordinary plumbing work was done by contractors, who were not affected by awards. They could work at their own rates and their own hours. The fixing of high rates would increase this type of competition. Double time, as asked by the union, was excessive. In his opinion lead' burning was a specialists' job. Mr. A. L. Monteith, employees' assessor: When wages are high, is that a bad thing for business ?—No. except, we must have the business to handle. Mr. Monteith: We have all got to eat to, Jive. Alexander Gordon, [..manager of the Hamilton Hardware Company, 6aid his firm sometimes employed "improvers"— men who had served a six years' apprenticeship, but were not fully qualified to carry out certain work in the opinion of their employers.

William Henry Walbran, secretary of the United Repairing Company, said his firm paid "dirt" money at the rate of 2/G a day—equal to the 1031 award rate —where plumbers had to work in oil tanks not previously cleaned. The percentage of cases of uncleaned tanks would be about five. His firm had never paid treble time which the union was now asking. Rates for "Improvers." Mr. Anderson said the general rates providing for "improvers" in 1926-1932 ■awards had been 1/8 an hour for the first s i x months and 1/10 for the second six! xnonths. The employers suggested 1/10 and 2/ respectively, which would give "improvers" about the same increase as adult workers. He considered Mr. Clark should be asked to submit evidence that employees used their own cars on their employers' business. Regarding the union's opposition to a Siday 40-hour week for gas fitters,'a similar exemption was being asked in respect of trouble and fault men by the power boards. Mr. Anderson said he had discussed with Mr. Clark ways and means of ending the competition from the small contractor, but no practical solution had ever been suggested. Any journeyman plumber could start contracting on his own account. Lead-burning Dispute. Mr. Clark argued at length that leadburning was part of a plumber's work. It was provided for in awards in England, where lead-burning began 98 years ago, and in Australia. He submitted that - boys after six years' apprenticeship should be fully competent, and there should be no need for "improvers." In any case, under-rate workers' permits could be granted. Mr Cecil Prime.(employers' assessor): Can they get them?— Yes. The President (Mr. Justice Page): Do you. object to a gas connection being made at a house on a Saturday morning? —No, but we ask for overtime . for Saturday work. The Court reserved its decision. . The Court is visiting chemical works near Penrose this afternoon in connection with the conflicting opinions Jvhich have been given in evidence over lead-burning work.