TROUBLE IN THE BOOT TRADE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13739, 21 May 1910, Page 6

TROUBLE IN THE BOOT TRADE.

GIRL APPRENTICES' HOLIDAYS. Mr G. R. Whiting, secretary of tho New Zealand .Federated Boot Trades Union, informed a representative of "The Press" yesterday that consequent on certain action. by the boot manufacturers in this city in connection with the payment for holidays to girl apprentices there is "likely to be some trouble in the boot trade. Mr Whiting stated that at the conference held last June in Wellington between the representatives of the Federated Boot Trade's Union and those of the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers' Association, an agreement was arrived at in respect to the girl apprentices in the trade throughout the Dominion, the representatives of the employers agreeing to pay girl apprentices for. time lost on account of holidays, but not for timo lost due to the fault of the apprentice's. In return (for the agreement in this matter was the result of a compromise) the representatives of the employees agreed to the rates of wages proposed by the employers, which were lower than those provided for m the award previously in force. Mr Whiting alleged that directly after the new award was made certain employers in Wellington and Christchurch did their utmost to evade pa3 T ment for holidays. One firm in Christchurch on Wednesday last issued the following notice to all their girl apprentices: — "We regret that ifc will be necessary to dispense with your services as fiom tomorrow evening. Wages due up to that time will be paid as you leave the factory. The manager will be in attendance at the warehouse at 8 a.m. on Monday next for the purpose of considering applications for employment, and should you desire to make further application it will be favourably considered." The signature of the firm follows.

Mr Whiting added that i speciil meeting of the Christchurch Union will be held this evening, when tin. action to be taken in view of this development will be considered. Ho states that some of the girls are relusing to go back to the factories, and want the Union to find them employment and to pay their wages until it is got for them unless the manufacturers, when they re-engage them, engage them as apprentice:, of class 2. Mr Whiting added that he dcsiied to urge patents to see that their daughters are reengag.'d is apprentices of class 2.