SHOP ASSISTANTS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8475, 21 December 1923, Page 4

SHOP ASSISTANTS

WANT NEW AWARD. (Ter Press Association!. Wellington, Dec. 19. A claim for a new award has been filed by the New Zealand Shop Assistants’ Union, to take effect upon th© expiry of the present award early next year. The principal divergence from the terms of the present award, which is embodied in the demand, refers to the matter of wages, substantial increases being asked for in all gi'ades. For adult - male workers, instead cl the present wage of £i 2/6, a minimum rate of - £5 10/- is being asked for, and for females an increase of from £2 6/6 to £3 15/* is sought. The hours asked for are;— Seniors, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closing at ; noon on Saturdays. Juniors, quarter hour longer daily. Apprentices, ■ half hour longer daily. Application is also made for a dress allowance and a. rest room. Fourteen paid holidays are asked for, including Prince of Wales’ birthday, Anzac Day, picnic day, and Peace Celebration Day, in addition to two weeks’ holiday annually. The Minister of ! Labour has nominated Mr W. Newton as Commissioner to hear the dispute, which, will come before the Conciliation Council on January 30. The scope of the new award is to cover the Northern, Wellington, Nelson and Otago industrial districts Canterbury is not included, as it is understood that an agreement on the lines of the old award has been arrived at in that district.