GROCERS’ ASSISTANTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 162, 27 March 1923, Page 3

GROCERS’ ASSISTANTS

BEFORE CONCILIATION COUNCIL

The claims of the Wellington Retail Grocers’ Assistants’ Union for an award, to cover tho Wellington industrial district camo before the Conciliation Council yesterday. Mr. W. Bfewton (commissioner) presided, and tlie assessors were: —Employers, jlessrs. H. Wardell., J. Mcllraith, E. Read; advocate, Mr. W. Grenfell. Union, Messrs. R. McKeen, J. H. Mortensen, J. G. Greenhill. The union’s claims were for 47 hours weekly; time and a half for first three hours’ overtime and double time thereafter; shops to close at 5.30 daily, and noon on, Saturdays. Wages to bfi paid according to age, viz., 15 to 16 years, £1 10s. per week; 16 to 17, £2; 'l7 to 18, £2 10s. ; 18 to 19, £3; 19 to 20 £3 155.; 20 to 21, £4 55.; over 21, £4 17s. 6d. Holidays asked for were New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, King’s Birthday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Anzao Day. Only stablework to be done on holidays and Sundays, double rates to be paid. The union asked for twelve working days’ holiday on full pay, on completion of each year’s service, and that employees not given 24 hours’ notice of overtime be paid 2s. tea money. The employers’ counter-claims asked for the expiring award, the hours of work to lie in accordance with the Shops’ and Offices’ Act, Anniversary Day and Easter Saturday not be to holidays. Some discussion took place as to the inclusion of country districts with the city award, a separate award having been made in the past. Mr. Wardell strongly supported separate awards. Mr. McKeen did not consider it worth while to have two sets of awards. There ■was nothing which could not be altered to suit both circumstances. Mr. Mcllraith did not think it fair to consent to any point without having a proper knowledge of tho country conditions. Mr. McKeen suggested that anything agreed upon should not be binding in thfi country. That wae agreed t<B 1 The hours of work proposed were objected to by the employers, Mr. Wardell stating that they could not agree to them. Thev would be willing to close at 12.30 on Saturday, provided the late night was until 9 p.m. On no account would they agree to abolish the late night. Mr. McKeen said the majority of the employers were in,favour of closing at noon on Saturday, and many were in favour of closing on the late night. Mr. McKeen said the Arbitration Court had limited the late night to 8.30 p.m., and it had been given by agreement 1 at Auckland. ~ Reference was made to country stores not observing the award hours, and Mr. Wardell said he found it very handy to find the little store at Muritai open after hours. Mr. Mcllraith said it was more convenient to have two awards. It was agreed to consider the claims from the city point of view, and not try to reach finality until the country sitting was concluded. Clause 3, terms of engagement, was agreed to as follows : —The employment shall be a weekly one, and no deduction shall be made from the week’s wages for public holidays. Time lost by a worker through illness or default may be deducted from his wages. No youth under the age of 18 shall be employed in driving. The proportion of boys or youths to ba one to every three men or fraction thereof. Where the employer requires his assistants to wean special uniforms or white coats, they must be supplied and kept clean at the employers’ expense. The holiday clause in the demands was agreed to, except Anzac Day andl Easter Saturday and tho annual holiday, which were referred to the Court. Several of the minor clauses were agreed to with slight amendments. It was understood that a sitting of the Conciliation Council would be held at Palmerston North, where the country conditions will be dealt with. Mr. Mcllraith asked Mr. McKeen to submit to his union a proposal of the employers, instead of €llO annual holiday, that all shops should close from December 24 to January 3. as well as other matters not agreed to. Tho Council adjourned until tins morning. „ , The Council will sit at Palmerston North on ’Wednesday.