SHEARING RATES DISAGREEMENT

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32459, 20 November 1970, Page 14

SHEARING RATES DISAGREEMENT

(New Zealand Preu Association) WELLINGTON, November 19. “The president of the New Zealand Workers’ Union has issued a completely erroneous statement on the rates of pay agreed in conciliation for shearers and shed hands,” said the president of the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Industrial Union, Mr A. C. Begg, in a statement today.

Mr Begg was replying to a statement issued by Mr J. W. Sylvester, of Feilding, on Saturday. “The rate that the contractors charge farmers for shearing has nothing to do with the New Zealand Workers’ Union,” said Mr Begg. "The award which Mr Sylvester’s union negotiated lays down conditions of employment between the employer and. the shearing worker,” he said. "With the 3 per cent general wage order incorporated, the rate for shearing 100 adult sheep under the new award is $12.57, inclusive of handpiece allowance, overtime, annual holiday pay and statutory holiday pay. The rate for shearing lambs is $11.43.” Mr Begg said that under the new award the rate for shed hands on the basis of a 40-hour week was 98c an hour, and for pressers $1 an hour.

The rate for cooks was $6.19 a day and cooks’ assistants $4.81 a day. These rates included the latest general wage order. ■ "In addition, shearers, shed hands, pressers, cooks, etc., : are to be paid a daily rate I of $1.29 extra when required to provide themselves with rations, or $1.54 when required to provide themselves with rations and accommodation," Mr Begg said. “Mr Sylvesters claims for a ration allowance of $1.50 per 100 sheep, and for travelling, depreciation and insurance have no foundation in the award.” Mr Begg said Mr Sylvester was doing his union mem-

bers a grave disservice by putting out erroneous statements. “This can only cause disharmony in the industry and damage the good relations that farmers in most areas have built up with shearers and contractors,” he said.