Boilermakers back

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32430, 17 October 1970, Page 1

Boilermakers back

(By our industrial reporter)

A bare fortnight after their new award came intp effect, boilermakers employed by two Lyttelton firms have been granted an above-award payment of 7c an hour. The award contains a condition that there shall be no wage claims during its currency, which is only nine months. Agreement to pay the 7c extra was reached yesterday after boilermakers employed by the Lyttelton Engineering Company had been on strike for three days in I support of a claim for 26c an

hour. The men returned to work yesterday. The strike was a direct result of the new pay scale for tradesmen employed by the Lyttelton Harbour Board (and all other New Zealand harbour boards). This scale includes a minimum rate of $1.51 for boilermakers, compared with the new national award minimum of $1.34. The minimum for the Lyttelton Engineering Company and Sinclair Melbourne, Ltd, is now $1.41 with $1.43 for holders of a trade certificate and $1.47 as the rate for the advanced trade certificate. The decision to strike was

made without the knowledge or approval of the officials of the Canterbury Boilermakers’ Union. The settlement was made after negotiations between the union’s secretary (Mr G. G. Walker) and tne managements of the two companies. Rites of pay in Christchurch vary considerably, but quite a number of boilermakers' are said to be earning the new Lyttelton rate, or more. One large engineering plant pays a substantial production bonus, and another pays handsome margins for extra skill and for long service.