WOOL SCOUR WORKERS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28872, 17 April 1959, Page 7

WOOL SCOUR WORKERS

Union Seeks Wage Increase

Decision was reserved by the Arbitration Court yesterday on an application for a rise of 6d an hour for wool scour workers in Canterbury, Otago and Southland. The employers submitted that the most that was required to be added to the rate was Id.

Recently in Hawke’s Bay, an increase of 6d an hour was granted wool scouy workers, said Mr T. Handisides, who appeared for the Freezing Workers and Related Trades Union. “It is evident both in this country and abroad that conditions in all phases of the wool industry are improving,” said Mr Handisides. “Prices for wool have risen and are continuing to rise. As a result, a spirit of optimism is prevalent throughout the trade. Practically all the wool scours in Canterbury are working extended hours to cope with the supply of wool offering.” With the return of conditions operating before world fluctuations in prices disturbed local conditions, the union, said Mr Handisides, considered that the workers, who through the difficult period had had no increase in their basic rates, should receive an increase. This should be at least equal to that obtained in Hawke’s Bay.

Employers’ Case For the employers, Mr H. F. Butland said he was informed that the new rates in Hawke’s Bay were those actually paid by two employers before the new agreement. Their inclusion was a means of ensuring that the third employer in the district also paid those rates and was placed on an equal competitive basis. “The increase agreed upon is so much out of line with current standards in fixing wage rates that I submit that the Court should not be influenced by it in making a decision in this dispute, but rather should adhere to its own standards which it has applied to industry generally,” said Mr Butland.