LOCAL BODIES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18603, 30 January 1926, Page 5

LOCAL BODIES.

WAGES OF LABOURERS. A Council of Conciliation sat yesterday to consider Hlie demands of the County Council section of the Canterbury Builders' and General Labourers' Union for a new award. Mr W. H. ilagger, Conciliation Commissioner, presided. The Assessors were: I'or vho Workers; Messrs U. Worrall, W. Annan, and J. McGleucliy; tor the County Councils: Messrs G. Maginness (Taparua County Council), J. Seymour (\Yiiimaivi County Council), and \V. Cicil Prime. The hours of work were agreed to as in the workers' claim. As to rates of pay, the employees claimed 2s 6d an hour for tunnelmen at rock tunnelling, timber work or sinking shafts over 10ft; 2s 5d an hour lor clay tunnelling work and for men in charge of derricks or scaffolding, 2s (id an hour for men engaged in deal, ing septic tanks or sewers, and 2s an hour for all other classes of work.

My Worrall, for the employees, stated that the claim was intended to bring the wages for the workers oh to a basis similar to that which other similar workers received. The question of wages was referred to the Court of Arbitration. The present award ' as to holidays, with the addition of Sundays, was agreed on, and the rate of double time as to wages on those days. The provision of gum boots by the employers was incorporated in the employees' claims as to work in wet places. The employers offered the terms of the present award, which allowed 3d a day for workers in wet places, allowing them to supply their own gum boots. The employers offered an extra penny a day on the old award. Tho clause was held over. The provision as to tools, accommodation, termination of engagement, under-rate workers, and the Court s preference clause were agreed to on the basis of the existing conditions. The claim as to work in dirty places was for Is a clay for demolition work, assisting to take out and re-set ranges, and for cleaning, repairing, or altering storm-water sewers or drains. The claim was amended cutting out all reference to work on ranges ana also the words "or drains." It was also agreed to cut out both the claim and counter-claim respecting septic tank work. It was agreed that a modern emergency case, fully equipped, should be kept by the employer in a convenient place. It was also agreed that the scope of the award should be those empiojers north of the Kangitata. The addition was n.iade to the hours of work clause that it should be competent for "the employers with iagreement of tho employees to allow a full day off in each fortnight in lieu of tho present half-day a week. The overtime clause of the present award was agreed on, and the present practice of paying wages monthly or fortnightly was allowed to stand. The present award as to wet places was agreed on, with the alteration or the allowance of 6d a day for gum boots. ■