BOOT REPAIRERS

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24445, 20 December 1944, Page 6

BOOT REPAIRERS

■ _♦ NEW AWARD ISSUED A new award for boot repairers and bespoke workers in the Northern, Wellington, and Canterbury industrial districts lias been issued by .the Arbitration Court, the duration of the award being for one year from January 1, 1945. The rates of wages for all male workers under the award will be 2s 9d an hour, an increase of 2d. There is no increase in the rate for female workers (£4 a week). The weekly wage, payment of which an employer, may enter into an agreement with his employees, has been increased by 10s to not less than £5 5s a week. The hourly minimum rate for journeymen while engaged on bespoke work Is 2s 9d, an increase of 2d. Payment of wages will be made for statutory holidays, and if employees are required to work on those days or on Sundays, they will be paid double rates In addition. In a memorandum to the award, the Court stated that the matters in dispute and settled by the. Court had related to Saturday morning work, wages, holidays, and the term of the award. The applicant union had asked for a five-day week, but because the industry covered by the award was closely associated with the retail trade, and as It had been announced that amending legislation affecting the retail trade was proposed next year, the Court had decided to retain the clause relating to hours, of work in the form in which It had appeared In the last award.