COACHWORKERS’ AWARD

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 182, 29 April 1933, Page 12

COACHWORKERS’ AWARD

Parties Decide to Adopt Piecework System TERMS OF AGREEMENT The Conciliation Council met yesterday to consider the Wellington Industrial District Coachworkers and Motor-body Builders’ dispute.. Complete agreement was reached, and the commissioner, .Mr. B. Hally, decided to forward the dispute to the Court of Arbitration to be made into an award. The previous award expired on April 11, because of the parties failing to reach an agreement iu conciliation. So far as wages are concerned, the new award will come into operation on Slay 12, and other conditions will become operative on the day of making. Tiie employers were represented vestenlay by Messrs. D. H. Taylor, c' L. Neilson. 11. Oldfield, and W. J. Mountjoy. advocate. Messrs. C. H. Chapman and J. A. Moir appeared for the union. Mr. Mountjoy explained that a complete settlement had been reached following a conference between the employers and the workers. The following conditions agreed upon were discussed and endorsed: Hours of work, 45 per week; wages for coachbuilders. painters, blacksmiths, vicemen. pane! beaters, machinists, and trimmers. 2/- per hour; helpers over 21 years. 1/9 per hour; helpers and assemblers under 16, 12/6 per week; 16 to 17, 17/6; 17 to IS, £l/2/6: 18 to 19, £1 10/-; 19 to 20, £l/17/6; 20 to 21, £2 7/6. The proportion of junior helpers is to be one to each three, or fraction thereof, of journeymen, except in the smith shops, where one helper is allowed to every five. Female machinists will be paid £1 a week for the first year. £l/7/- for the second, and £l/15/- for the thirl. Thereafter they will lie paid £2/2/-. Improvers are to lie employed not more than 12 months at 1/4 an hour; overtime will be paid at the rate of time and a quarter for tiie first three hours, after which time and a half will be paid. Double time will be paid for work done on New Year's Day. Christmas Day, Good Friday and Sunday. On Easter Monday, King’s Birthday, Labour Day, and Boxing Day time and a half will be the rate. Piecework may be worked in any at the branches of the trade at rates and conditions as agreed upon b.v the employer and individual workers, provided that not less than 20 per cent, below tiie minimum rate of wages for hourly workers is paid to all pieceworkers. Mr. Chapman stated that the union had deptini'd from the practice tli.it had existed by agree’ng to the introduction of the pieceworker system. This was done somewhat reluctantly, but it was admitted that the present time was very difficult for those in the- industry, and lie expressed the hope that tiie system would work out satisfactorily to both parties. Mr. Mountjoy said lie was pleased to hear Mr. Chapman say that tiie pio-e work system would be an advantage to all in the industry. That was the reason why the employers had asked for piecework conditions to be included iu tiie award. The commissioner congratulated both parties on arriving at an agreement. and stated that as an old pieceworker lie was satisfied tliat the time was opportune to give tile system a trial No doubt there would he slight difficulties in initiating this method of working, but in the term of the award it would prove satisfactory to all concerned, he said.