A NEW INDUSTRSAL UNION

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 91, 10 January 1908, Page 8

A NEW INDUSTRSAL UNION

. »: DEMANDS OF THE'STONEMASONS.

; The stonemasons' of Wellington: havo formed an industrial union, of workers with Mr*J. as secretary. ''Monumental masons, as 'well as those . engaged in: builders' woHt, are'included. A draft agreement as to conditions of labour,has been drawn up. and a copy posted to cach of the local employers. The union has also invited the employers to "a conference. It' is expected that an amicable arrangement will be concluded. The following is'a summary of the men's demands; — Until the building trades have agreed to a reduction of. hours of labour, a full week's work shall consist of 45 hours, five days of 8J hours each, and : from 8 a;m.' until 11.45 a.m. 611 Saturdays. All- journeymen stonemasons shall be paid ;not less than-'ls. Bd. per hour. For the full = week's work of 45 hours 'tho . wage, ; shall not be less than,£3 '155.-, lost, time, to .be deducted at the rate of Is. Sd. per. hour.; All wages shall be paid weekly, arid when workmen-arc discharged, and m every case within fifteen minutes after leaving vvorkV There shall be no piecework. Overtime shall be paid for at the rate of' time, and a quarter for the first four hours, and time and a half afterwards. Double time to be.-paidi.for the .following holidays New Year's Day, .Christmas Day,. Boxing Day, Good Friday,-Easter Monday, Labour Day, and Sundays-.'- No overtime to be worked while compotent labour is idle, except in ■ cases of , oriiergency.' Employers shall erect, suitable sheds for their employees, and provide boiling water, at liinch time for those who require; it. < •- Country work means work performed by a journeyman' or 'apprcutice which necessitates his lodging elsewhere than at his usual placo of abode'.'. A workman or apprcntico shall be conveyed by his employer to and from' country' work freo of charge once only during the continuance of such work, if tho work .is continuous; and the workman or apprentice is hbt ; in tho meantime recalled by his employeri--'.When'the distance requires workmen'to sleep'away from homo an additional allowance of 15' per cent, upon the amount of their wage's for the time so occupied shall be paid to' them, and their employer slib-11' also provide touts or other suitable sleeping accommodation. The members of the IJniop shall have preference of employment;' Nothing in ' this statement shall alter any' agreements' with apprentices engaged prior to this 'date. The proportion of apprentices to journeymen shall not exceed one.apprentice to overy five journeymen or fractiori' tho'reof. . The wages to be paid to apprentices for the first year shall be 10s.; second year, Ids.' ; third year, £1; fourth year, £1 55.; and "'fifth year, £1 10s. per week.