BASKET-MAKERS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 173, 10 April 1923, Page 3

BASKET-MAKERS

CLAIMS FOR NEW AWARD PARTIAL SETTLEMENT

The claims of the Furniture Makers’ Union for a new award for journeymen wicker, pith-cane, ueagrass, composition, and fibre-workers (hand or machine) were considered by the Conciliation Council yesterday. The Commissioner (Mr. AV. Newton) presided, and the assessors were: For the union, Messrs- T. L. Ross (Palmerston North), A. AV. Wein© and F. B. Hewson (Wellington), with Air. Kennedy as agent. For th© employers, Messrs. J. AV. Walker and C. B. Millward (Wellington), and L. Stewart (Petone), with Mr. W. A. Grenfell as agent. Air. Kennedy described tho workers’ proposals as “bedrock.” Air. Grenfell ridiculed the idea of conciliation proceedings “on such extravagant proposals.’ Air. Kennedy declared that the claims of the union were fair and equitable. Air. Grenfell asked how that description could be applied to a demand for a minimum wage of 2s. 6d. per hour, when the highest skilled workers, were paid Is. lljd. per hour. They could hardly say that wicker-workers were as skilled as engineers. Air. AVeine said that Air. Grenfell was talking about things he did not understand. Air. Grenfell said he wanted to eee a discussion on reasonable lines. They were there to consider really what the Arbitration Court was likely to award, and not what a man should get. Air. AVeine claimed that their wages demand was justified by the cost of living, and therefore it was right to discuss it.

Air. Grenfell said the adjustment was a matter for the Court. The right standpoint was the old award. Air. AVeine contended that their trade was one of the hardest ,to earn wages at. They desired to raise the standard of the trade.

Air. Grenfell retorted that it would be a good thing if increases of wages raised the standard of the trade, but experience Had shown that they did not- A good man could command his wage. Air. AVeine said a good man did not require a union. They only asked for a fair wage—£s 10s. for 44 hours’ work. The Commissioner suggested that they might proceed to consider the claims in detail. This was done, and a partial settlement was arrived at by 5 p.m., when an adjournment was made until 2.30 p.m. to-day at Palmerston North. The hours of work were fixed at 44 per week. Provision was made for broken time. The minimum weeklyrate of pay for apprentices was fixed as follows: —For the first year, 155.; for tho second year, £1 2s. 6d.; for the third year, £1 10s-; for the fourth year, £1 17s. 6d.; and for the fifth year £2 10s. The period of apprenticeship was fixed at five years. The following were agreed on as the recognised holidays :—New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Alonday, Labour Day, King’s Birthday, Christmas Day. and Boxing Day. These ■will be paid for in the week’s wages.. Work done on Christmas Day and Good Friday will be paid at the rate of double time. On other holidays, rate and a half will be paid. Provision is made for underrate workers. After considerable discussion on the rate of wages, the union’s assessors offered to reduce their demand from 2s. 6d. to 2s. 3d. per hour, but received no encouragement from the employers’ representatives. This question was referred to the Court, together with claims for the prohibition of piecework, for the recognition of oiriy three classes of workers (journeymen, under-rate workers, and apprentices). proportion 'of apprentices, preference clause, and term of the award.