ARBITRATION COURT.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16270, 22 July 1918, Page 4

ARBITRATION COURT.

NEW AWARDS. - Aa award has been granted for the first time for female workers in tho Printers' Machinists' and Bookbinders' Union, female eeotion. The hours of work have been fixed at 45, and the minimum wages are as follows:—For the first six months l'Js per week, second sis months 12s 6d, eeoord year 13s, third rear 22a Cd, fourth year 27s 6d, and thereafter 33s per week. Time lost by a worker through sickness or default, or through her voluntary absence from work with the con Gent of the employer may be deducted from her wages. Workers earning 10s per week shall be paid Cd per hour for overtime work; workers receiving up to 20s per week Od per hour for overtime, and workers receiving mote than 20s per week Is per hour overtime. The definition of work states that al; work now done by females Under tho existing conditions and custom shall bo considered aa proper work for the employees under the scope of the award. Under the preference clause it is provided that, upon completion of three years' service in one or more branches of the industry, a worker may be required to join the union, and if she fails to do so within 14 days the employer shall dismiss such worker from his service, if requested to do eo by tho union, provided there is then a member of the union equally qualified to perform the work required to be done. The preference clause operates eo long as the union shall charge an entrance fee of not more than 2s Cd, and 3d per week contributions. Piecework may be worked if tho union and tho employer are in agreement, provided that the rate shall be such aa to enable the worker to earn not less than 15 per cent, above the minimum rate of wages. If the union and the employer shall not agree concerning „ piecework or the rate therefor, the dispute shall be referred to the local Inspector of Awards, who may refer it to the Court. Both parties have the rieht of appeal to tho Court if dissatisfied with the decision of tho inspector. The award comes into forco on August Ist, 1918, and operates until April Ist, 1920. The award granted to the Amalgamated Society of Engineers regarding tho wages and conditions of mechanics provides for a week of 47 hours, to be worked between tho hours of 7.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on five days of the week, and between 7.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on one day of the week, after which overtime shall be paid. The wages are fixed at Is 7Jd per hour. Three olasses of labour are recognised, viz., journevmen, assistants, and under-rate workers. The proportion of assistants to journeymen is fixed at one to each working employer. An assistant who has served five years at tho trade ©hall be considered as a joii'-neyman. The wages for assistants shall '?*> as follow r—First year, 10s per week, sec-i.-J year 15s Tier week, third year £1 per week, fourth year £1 5e per week, and fifth year £1 ]5s per week. Tho ordinarv Court'® preference clause js. granted. The award for the Eange "Workers' section of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers is similar to the ono granted to tho Otago and Southland workers. The wages fixed are la 5Jd per hour for all workers except grinders find body-fitters, who ehal] recoivo not loss than Is 4d per hour. A war bonus of Ud per hour is also provided.