FOOTWEAR WORKERS’ WAGES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27308, 26 March 1954, Page 12

FOOTWEAR WORKERS’ WAGES

COURT HEARS CLAIM FOR INCREASES Increases of 75 per cent, in wages for adult female workers and £3 a week for adult male footwear workers, were sought in the Arbitration Court in Christchurch yesterday by the Northern, Wellington, Marlborough, West Coast and Canterbury Footwear Manufacturing Employees’ Union. The unions were represented by Mr. G. Robinson, and Mr F. W. McCullough appeared for the employers. Mr Justice Tyndall presided, and with him were Messrs F. C. Allerby (workers’ representative) and W. N. Hewitt (employers’ representative). Decision was reserved. Besides wage increases, the unions are also 'seeking a statutory holiday on January 2; annual holidays of 15 working days plus five days extra for employees with five years’ service; and payment of eight hours’ work when • an employee works for a few hours bn a statutory holiday. Mr McCullough, opposing the claims, said the workers already had nine statutory holidays a year. If the unions’ claim was granted, a worker doing one hour on a statutory holiday would have to be paid for eight hours at double time. The unions’ wage claims were substantial and, if granted, would raise the cost of footwear and, in turn, the cost of living.