CANISTER WORKERS’ DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23804, 25 November 1942, Page 5

CANISTER WORKERS’ DISPUTE

AGREEMENT .REACHED Agreement was reached in Conciliation Council before the Commissioner (Mr G. Ritchie) on Monday, on the Canterbury canister workers’ dispute, and the terms have been referred to the Arbitration Court for an award to be made. The new award will be on the lines of the present Wellington agreement, and the chief alteration from the existing Canterbury award is that women may be employed on soldering. Among other changes are a provision that the minimum rate of pay for adult male canister makers or repairers (2s 7d an hour) will be increased Jd after a year’s continuous service with the same employer. The weekly minimum rate of payment for female workers has also been increased by 2s fid after the sixth six months’ employment. An annual holiday of a week on full pay will be allowed each worker at a lime to be mutually arranged between worker and employer. The rate of meal money will be increased from Is fid to Is 9d. Payment provisions of female employment on soldering will be that juniors will be paid not less than the appropriate junior male rate, that adult workers using soldoring irons not more than 21b in weight will bo paid a minimum of £4 a week, and that adult workers using heavier irons will be paid the adult male wage rate prescribed provided they perform equal to male work (those unable to produce the same to be paid such lower wage as agreed on between union and employer).