DISPUTE SETTLED

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 69, 14 December 1932, Page 10

DISPUTE SETTLED

Building Trade Workers AGREEMENT REACHED Pay & Overtime Rates Fixed PERIOD OF ONE YEAR Adjourned from November 30 in order that the employees’ represents.ives might submit the employers’ latest offer to .their unions, a meeting of the Conciliation Council was held yesterday to consider further the dispute between the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners Industrial Union of Workers and the New Zealand Federated Builders and Contractors Industrial Association of Employers. Mr. W. Newton, Conciliation Commissioner, presided. Complete agreement was reached, after deliberations which lasted all day, the principal question settled being that of wages, 2/- an hour being fixed In the case of journeymen, and 1/5 an hour in the ease of improvers. The employers agreed to pay double rates for Sundays and holidays, and in the case of ordinary overtime, time and a quarter for the first four hours, and time and a half thereafter. Several other questions were also settled. The agreement will be operative for a period of one year. The employers were represented by Mr. W. J. Mountjoy, Mr. W. Parkin, and Mr. W. I. Clark, Wellington; Mr. H. A. Cornish, Auckland; Mr. L. W. Chisholm, Wanganui; Mr. W. H. Winsor, Christchurch; Mr. W. A. Petrie, Timaru; and Mr. W. Ellis, Dunedin, and the employees were represented by Mr. T. Bloodworth, Auckland; Mr. J. Moulton, Wellington; Mr. E. C.’ Sutcliffe and Mr. E. 0. Pearl, Christchurch; Mr. W. G. Baird, Dunedin; Mr. F. Stansfield, New Plymouth, and Mr. AV. Rigg, Hastings. Employees’ Submissions. Mr. Bloodworth said that the employers’ proposal for a reduction in wages from 2/1 an hour to l/10t had been submitted to the unions, w'hich had definitely rejected it. He had been definitely instructed to press for the present award rate. Mr. Mountjoy: I take it that you are not tied to 2/1. ’ Mr. Bloodworth: It can go up to 2/o if you wish. (Laughter.) It is left to our discretion, but the instruction is very definite that we are not to accept 1/10J. Mr. Bloodworth said that he would make the suggestion that in view of the present unsettled conditions prevailing, that things in the meantime be left as they were. The employers eould not guarantee than there would be more work at 1/10J than at 2/1, and the employees would not expect it. Any alteration in the wage rate could not have any effect on the amount of work available. In regard to overtime, the employees were definite that double rates should be paid on holidays, as at present. The workers’ assessors were empowered to negotiate on all matters in the hope of a satisfactory settlement being reach-

ed. ■After the employers’ assessors had retired for deliberations, Mr. Mountjoy said that the employers were willing to concede double rates of pay on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Easter Saturday. Easter Monday and Labour Day, provided that the employees accepted overtime at the rate of time and a quarter Instead of time and a half as at present. They still offered 1/10 J an hour for journeymen. Disappointed with Proposals. “We are all bitterly disappointed with the proposals that the employers have made,” said Mr. Bloodworth after the workers’ assessors had retired. Mr. Mountjoy: That is a surprise! “I do not think that it is a surprise. I think it is what you expected,” Mr. Bloodworth said. “On the question of wages, we are not prepared to accept anything less than 2/- an hour. We put it to you, you ought not to offer less than 2/-.” Mr. Bloodworth said that if they accepted less they could hardly hold up their heads any more, and call themselves skilled tradesmen. The workers did not want to go to the court for settlement; they wanted to exhaust conciliation to the full, but definitely would not accept anything less than 2/-. an hour as minimum wage. Throughout the country there was a large body of men in their organisation, who, if the award lapsed, would seriously consider registering themselves as employers, Mr. Bloodworth said. They were not anxious to do it, but they were not going to be driven to the wall. Many of these men had managed jobs for the employers in the past, and would manage them for themselves in the future, if need be. After further deliberations each side ultimately agreed to 2/- an hour foxjourneymen and 1/5 an hour for improvers, and agreed to overtime and holiday rates as detailed above.