BAKERS’ WAGES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 28, 27 October 1932, Page 3

BAKERS’ WAGES

No Agreement Reached In N.Z, Dispute ADJOURNED HEARING No agreement was reached in Conciliation Council yesterday when the hearing of the industrial dispute between the New Zealand master bakers and their employees, adjourned from October 11,. was continued. Though this means that the proceedings on a Dominion basis have failed, district disputes have yet to be heard. The Conciliation Commissioner, Mr. W. Newton, presided, and the following assessors were present:— Employers: Messrs. R. H. Montgomery (Auckland), C. Cowan (Auckland), W. Kellow (Wellington), A. J. Clegg (Wellington), L. A. Woodward (Christchurch), G. A. Lawrenson (Dunedin), D. Dustin (Wanganui), and G. K. Matbieson (Dunedin). Employees: Messrs. E. J. Watson (Auckland), F. Mawhinney (Wellington), T. P. Hutton (Dunedin), A. McCarthy (Auckland), J. McKeown (Wellington L H. Unsworth (Gisborne), and F. J. Niall (Christchurch). Mr. T. O. Bishop appeared as advocate for the employers and Mr. Watson conducted the workers’ case. When the parties met previously the following net wages were proposed by the workers’ assessors, the award rates being given in parentheses: — Foreman baker or pastrycook, £5/10/(£5) ; journeyman baker or pastrycook, £5 (£4/10/-); ovensman, baker, or pastrycook, £5/10/- (no provision), bakehouse labourers or packers, £4/0/6 (£4, less 10 per cent.). The employers’ counter-pro-posals as affecting wages were: Foreman baker or pastrycook, £4/10/-; journeyman baker or pastrycook, £4; bakehouse labourer, £3/5/-. Amended Proposals. After negotiations the employers’ assessors amended their counter-proposals, offering an increase of 5/- on each wages rate. They submitted also various amendments to other clauses. The workers’ assessors in turn revised their proposals, the new rates being as follow: — Foreman baker or pastrycook, £5; journeyman baker or pastrycook, £4/10/-; bakehouse labourer, £3/12/6. When yesterday’s proceedings opened, Mr. Watson said the workers’ assessors were not prepared to give way on the wages question, the 48-hour week, and the question of junior labourers. Mr. Bishop: Are wages an absolute stumbling block? If so it is no use going on with the discussion of other clauses. Mr. Watson said he did not mean that wages alone were a stumbling block. It was wages combined with the proposed special payments. The employers’ proposals, for example, meant that a man who at present started at 3 o’clock in the morning and got £5/17/- a week, net, under the new rates would receive £4/7/6. The employers were asking for too much. Alternatives Asked For. Mr. Bishop said the meeting, had heard what the workers would not agree on. The employers’ assessors wanted to know what the workers proposed as alternatives. The workers’ assessors retired, and on their return Mr. Watson said, they would agree to the starting time proposed by the employers except in the case of pastrycooks. They would agree also to a 46-hour week and an eighthour day. With regard to special payments, if a man started at 2 o’clock or 3 o’clock he should get 2/6 extra for that day; if he started earlier than'2 o’clock he should get 4/-. Mr. Bishop said he was afraid the meeting would have to agree to differ. He would have liked to have reached an agreement, but it was no use retiring again, for he knew the minds of his assessors. The Commissioner: You have reached a deadlock. Need to Face Facts. “I wonder if there is any use in making a further appeal,” said Mr. Bishop. It was difficult, he proceeded, to make concessions and equally difficult to -take responsibility for making concessions. Nevertheless there was nothing to be gained by dodging facts: they had to be met. The facts were that savings, quite substantial savings, had to be effected in the baking industry, which was crying out f.r them. “We feel we have made the best offer the condition of' trade will allow,” added Mr. Bishop. “Our consciences are clear.” Mr. Watson said the unions had considered the position all ways and felt that ihe employers’ proposals were too drastic. The, commissioner said he regretted the parties could not reach a settlement, but he did say that a very earnest and sincere attempt had been made ■by both sides. There would be nothing to prevent the parties getting together or reaching agreements under the local citations already filed. He wished to congratulate the parties on the way the djspute had been conducted. He hoped the chapter had not been closed. The meeting then closed.