BOOT REPAIRERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 75, 30 March 1939, Page 14

BOOT REPAIRERS.

DOMINION AWARD. conciliation: agreement. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHIKt H, Wednesday. Agreement on the terms of a Dominion award for limit repairers was readied in Conciliation Council. Hours of work were fixed at 40 for a five and a half day week. Competition from oneman establishments was quoted by the employers as the only bar to a five-day [ week. It was stated that the Auckland employers proposed a joint deputation with tlie workers to the responsible Minister to ask for legislation to close all footwear repairing establishments on Saturdays. The question would be discussed at a conference of the employers at Easter, and, if they could agree to ask for such legislation and could obtain it, they w r ould be willing to reopen discussion on the five-day week.

A memorandum to tliis effect was put on record, the workers agreeing' to a 40-hour week of five and a half days. The rates of wages for all male workers, except those paid under-rate by special agreement, have been fixed :>t 2/7 an hour, or not less than C 4 ]•">/ a week, without deduction through sickness, accident or default. An employer may arrange with his employees to work on piece-work at rates to he mutually agreed upon between the union and himself. Overtime is to be paid for at time and a half for the first three hours and double time thereafter. One week's holiday on full pay is to be granted t<> each worker on the completion of 12 months' service, in addition to nine other days set down as public holidays to be observed by the industry. Women workers shall receive £4 a week, from which no deduction is to be made for the time lost. The term of the award has been fixed at two years, commencing on April 1, 1939.