PRINTING TRADE AWARD

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22666, 22 March 1939, Page 5

PRINTING TRADE AWARD

MOST GLAUSES LEFT TO COURT UNION’S DISAGREEMENT WITH EMPLOYERS’ * PROPOSALS VPEUSS ASSOCIATION TELBGBAIt.' WELLINGTON, March 21. ' When Conciliation Council proceedings discussing the New Zealand prints ing trade award were resumed to-day, Mr K. Baxter (advocate for the union’s assessors) stated that his side was not prepared to agree to the proposal of the employers, which included the present rates of wages, the existing classification, and the present hours, with an arrangement by which two or four hours extra a. day could be worked at ordinary rates. Mr C. H. Chapman said that the object of the Government in the encouragement of greater production was not to increase hours of labour but to ensure that a higher standard of living could be enjoyed. The adoption of the longer working week would be running counter to the objects of the Government.

Mr Tubbs said that he understood that the inain object in asking for extra production was to protect the falling value of the New Zealand pound. The Commissioner: As far as internal arrangements are concerned the falling pound doesn’t matter a straw. In a general discussion relating to the maintenance of the standing of living and the part machinery plays, Mr J. M. Hardcastle said there were 168 hours in the week, and the employers were allowed the use of their machinery for 40 hours only. He said that the need was not for an extra shift, but for a fractional increase. The employers did not want the extra 120 hours, but 12 or 15 hours. After further discussion,' the -Commissioner remarked that the proposals of the employers had been definitely refused, and he took it that that was final. He suggested that it might be possible to arrive at a rate in advance of the existing rates for the two or four hours asked for. - After further discussion, Mr E. W. Clarkson said that the employers had invited the co-operation of the workers and had hoped that their submissions would receive some consideration, but they had been idly brushed aside. The employers would remain firm on the maintenance of classification. They would agree to no increase in wages, because they believed them already uneconomically high, and would remain firm in their aim for increased hours of work in those offices needing it. The employers were quite prepared to let those principal features go to

the. Court without ■ any , further discussion. A deadlock having arisen on wages. Hours, holidays, and classification, the . parties Spent the remainder Of the day discussing machinery clauses. The non-representation of female workers was criticised by Mr B. Martin, secre- - tary of the Auckland Female Printers’ Assistants’ Union, and it was agreed that during the discussion of female workers’ wages he should replace one of the assessors nominated by the New' Zealand Union. Mr Baxter said.that it was desired to eliminate the Auckland, and. Wellington female printers’ assistants awards, and include : those subject to them in a general Dominion award. Mr Martin said that his union had no objection to being cited as parties to the award, but they wanted a reasonable opportunity of being heard, :as they had been consulted by neither respondents nor applicants.