CONCILIATION BOARD

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 338, 27 October 1908, Page 2

CONCILIATION BOARD

THE GROCERS' DISPUTE. RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD. The Board of Conciliation yesterday filed its recommendation in connection with the dispute between the Grocers' Union of workers and employers within a radius of 20 miles of the' General Post Office, Wellington. Altogether 136 European and 36 Chinese groccrs are affected by the proposed award, which, if accepted by the parties, will come into force oil November 26 and remain in operation for two years and thereafter unless and until it is superseded. Power is' reserved to' extend the ■ area in which it shall operate with necessary alterations to other portions of the district. The recommendation provides that unless a different intention appears,' "assistant" shall mean and includo any storeman,' provision hand, or other shop, assistant "whether engaged in carting or otherwise. The hours of labour for shop assistants other than' carters shall not exceed 52 per week. The working hours shall-bo between' 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., except on Friday, when the hours shall be between B'a.m. and -9. p.m. and on Saturday, when they shall commence at- 8 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.: provided that for the purposes of stocktaking or other special work the hours may be extended by threehours on any one day on not :inore than thirty days in the year, and in such case the excess time shall be paid for at the rate of time and a half. Tho hours of labour for carters shall not exceed 47J per week, exclusive of meal hours and time requisite for attendance oh their horses. Carters'- work shall commence at 8 a.m. and shall cease at 5.30 p.m., except on Saturday, when work shall cease at 1 p.m.; provided that the foregoing hours shall include the hour daily for meals. Carters may be required to attend their horses on Sunday or on of the holidays. The minimum ' rates of wages for-as-sistants other than carters shall lie: Workers of the age of 23 and,over, £2 12s. 6d. per week; 21 to 23, £2 7s. 6d.; 20 to-21, £2; 19 to 20, £1 12s. Gd.: 18 to 19, £1 7s. ■ Gd.; 17 to 18, £1 2s. 6d.; 16 to 17, 17s. 6d.; and from 15 to 16, 15s. _ Carters shall be 'paid as under: For driving and attending two horses, £2 12s. per week; one horse,.£2. Bs. ,If more than two horses are used, 4s. additional shall be paid weekly in respect of each ( such horse. Any worker engaged in driving more than one horse, shall be paid the: wage's prescribed, notwithstanding that such may' bo under the age of 23" years.' Other carters below that age who. drive,'one horse shall likewise .be paid not less 'than the minimum wage stipulated: provided that no driver shall be under the ago oi'"l7 years. 1 . ... , Not more than one assistant under th 6 ago of 23 shall be employed 'for" every three or fraction of three above-that age: provided that if the employer himself does the work of an assistant in addition to his ordinary work as flu employer, he shall, for the purposes of jthe clause'be called'an assistant.' Every employer shall keep in his place of business a. :i wages and. overtime book. Tho following sjiull be the holidays:—Neiv Year's Day and jjie' day following, Good Friday, Easter' Mqnslay, the Sovereign's Birthday, the Prince of Wales's Birthday, Labour Day, Boxing;. Day, Christmas Day, Anniversary Day, find the day of the grocers' picnic. Employers shall employ members of the union nji preference to non-members. Tho union sfejll keep an employment book, in which shall he entered the names and addresses of al) nits members who are out of with particulars as to tho branch , of; business in which each is proficient, and the name and address of each employer for whom the worker has worked during tho twelve months preceding the termination of tliQo last engagement. In tho event of any Qiftry being wilfully false to the knowledge of oijiy of its officers, the union shall bo liable'as!for a breach of tho award. Failure on tho! part of the union to keep, such a book slindl jelease employers from the obligation of granting preference: provided nothing in thejislsiuscs just referred to shall apply to any assistant under the. ago of 18years. Employdrsisball not- in tho employment or their hands discriminate against members, fifiithe union, nor shall they in tho conduct vol vtheir business do ■ anything for tho purpose of injuring the union either directly oiyindirectly. _ So long as the United Association conduct their business as at present; th» award shall have,no ..application to them.