GROCERS' DISPUTE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 320, 6 October 1908, Page 11

GROCERS' DISPUTE.

INCREASES DEMANDED. ■CHANGE OF HALF-HOLIDAY ASKED FOR. By special resolution a week ago and by a ballot , taken last night, the Wellington Grocers' Industrial Union' of "Workers 'approval of a series of demands, which will be filed ■ within tbo next few days. The number of grocers cited will bo 167, including 38 Chinese grocers, all doing'business within a radius..of' twenty miles. It is sevon years since.the present award was made, and it is argued that the increased cost of living and the difference in the present conditions necessitated, the alterations askod for. The dispute will bo referred to the Conciliation Board,\ and if the employers agree to this course, this will probably bo the last caso that :tlio Wellington Conciliation Board will hear. | In. brief, it. is desired to get the hours rc-"dnce-d by three per' week, the abolition of, the late -night;.' the substitution of Saturday halfholiday;/for Wednesday, limitation of the Lumber of youths to be employed in proportion _to other fully-paid, assistants, and an increase of the minimum wage from £2 15s. per; week to £3 for assistants over 23 years of age,' others pro rata. There is no provision'for limitation in the old award. | . The full demands are as follow^ HOURS OF LABOUR, I J..The hours of work for all grocers' assistants shall'not exceed. 50 hours in any one week, 'to be worked as follows: —Monday, Tuesday/ Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, from 8 a;in:'io.6 p.m.', less one hour for meals; Saturday, from S a.m. to 1 p.m., provided however, :.that;.for the purpose, of stock-taking or other/special work such working hours inlay be .extended, but not for more than three hours' in any one day, or not moro than thirty days i(i any one year. Suclr extended hours shali be deemed to be overtime, and paid for at the rate of time and a half. ' WAGES. . ' 2. The following shall be the minimum wage for all grocers', assistants over the age of 23 years, viz.£3 per week: . for' all under that age, as followsls to 16, 155.; 16 to 17,: £1; 17 to 18, £1 55.; IS to 19, £1 105.19 to 20, £l 155.; 20 to 21, £2; 21 to 22, £2 55.; 22 to 23, £2 10s. Provided that liot more than one assistant under, the age of 23 Vrars be employed for every five assistants over that age (23) or fraction thereof. ,V HOURS OF CARTERS. 3. "Where assistants are substantially employed as carters,-notwithstanding any other provision.'in this award, the hours of work shall riot: exceed 47$ per week, exclusive . of the'; time required for the necessary work upon horses and meal hours. The week's.work to bo divided as follows: —Five days a week ' from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. less one hour off for/meal .on each day, and from 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.-on Saturday. Any assistant employed; as a carter may be required to give the uecossary attendance to their horses on Sundays, or any prescribed holiday in this awa'rd.:': ; Assistants who assist in the shop and .also, do carting, their hours shall be the same as tliose of carters—viz., 47i. '» : > CARTERS' "WAGES. A: The minimum weekly wage for cartersshall be:—For driving and attending a single, horse, £2-10s.; for driving and attending , two horses, £2 -14s. ;' for each additional horse,: 45.!• per week extra. No deduction shall he- made from such weekly wages for holidays. : Those engaged in driving two horSes (no matter what age he may be) the rate .of-wages shall :be £2 14s. per. week. Those driving one horse, who are under the age of-23 years, the rate of wages shall be as that fixed for assistants under 23 :.years. of age. No youth under the age .of VI years : shall be allowed to drive in the grocery trado.. ' ;,' APPLICATION OF AWARD.' 5. Tho term assistants where used in these 'demands shall include all shop assistants, storemen, provision hands, and those engaged in carting. TERM OF AWARD. 6. That the term for this agreement be for two years. : : "WAGE-BOOK, ETC. 7. All employers shall keep a wage and overtime book, and shall keep a record of : wages, paid "and hours 'worked by such workers; such book to be open for inspection by:.the inspector of awards during business hours.' HOLIDAYS. B.' The/following days shall be recognised as holidays:—New Year's Day and the day following, Good Friday, Easter Monday, King's Birthday, Prince of Wales's Birthday, Labour . Day, Boxing Day, Christmas Day, Anniversary Day, and the day for tho grocers'picnic: PREFERENCE. 9. .That members of the union shall have preference of employment. ./ i SCOPE OF AWARD. 10..These demands shall cover all. retail . shops and stores—viz., those engaged in the retailing 'of goods. That these demands extend to a 20-mile radius from the G.P.O. ; ' EXTENSION OF AWARD. 11. Provision shall be made for the extension of-the award to any'part of the Wellington Industrial District. ; SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT. • 12. Nothing in this award shall "be deemed i o^ec ' l or-operation of tho Shops and Offices Act, or of any Act now in forco 'rela,twg t to shops and shop assistants, or to the hours of work of such persons.