HIGHER WAGES AND SHORTER HOURS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 216, 9 June 1936, Page 13

HIGHER WAGES AND SHORTER HOURS

Motor-body Workers’

Wants

DISPUTE IN CONCILIATION COUNCIL

The Conciliation Commissioner, Mr. S. Ritchie, was engaged in the Conciliation Council yesterday hearing the application of the New Zealand Coach and Body Builders’ Industrial Association of Employers for an award covering Wellington and Canterbury. Ultimately, it is hoped to make it a dominion award by bringing in the other centres.

The employers were represented by Messrs. 1). H. Taylor, C. L. Neilsen, John E. Hunt, 11. D. Wraight (Wellington), H. Stevens, G. P. Steel, C. Hunton (Christchurch) and Mr. W. J. Mountjoy (Wellington), employers’ advocate. The employees’ representatives were Messrs. R. Buddle, 11. Mason, D. Moir, E. A. Toomath (Wellington), S. Pentecost, B. J. Marshall, S. W. Armstrong (Christchurch) and Mr. C. H. Chapman (Wellington), employees’ agent. The following were the claims of the employers, and the counter-claims of the employees, the counter-claims being placed in parentheses. Hours of work: 45 (40); to be worked on live days of the week and 4J hours on Saturday (no work on Saturday). Wages: Coachbuilders (woodmen), painters, blacksmiths, vicemen, panelbeaters, machinists and trimmers, 2/(3/-) per hour; helpers and assemblers over the age of 21 years, 1/9 (2/9) ; helpers and assemblers: under 16 years, 12/6 per week; 16 to 17, 17/6; 17 to IS, £l/2/6; 18 to 19, £l/10/-; 19 to 20, £l/17/6; 20 to 21, £2/7/6. (Helpers and apprentices to be paid an equal wage according to age.) Wages of female machinists: First year, £1 (£l/10/-) per week; second year, £l/7/- (£l/17/-) ; third year, £1 15/- (£2/5/-) ; thereafter, £2/2/- (£2 12/-).

Improvers.- An apprentice having completed his apprenticeship may be employed as an improver for not more than 12 months at 1/4 per hour. (Six months at 2/3 an hour.) Overtime: Time-and-a-quarter for first three hours, thereafter time-and-a-half. (Time-and-a-half for first two hours, thereafter double time.) Piecework: Piecework may be worked. (No piecework.) The employees asked for a “smoko’’ of 30 minutes’ duration at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. without cessation of work. Also that the secretary or accredited representative of the union be given the right of entrance to any factory for the purpose of interviewing union members. The employees asked also for the operation of the preference clause in the I.C. and A. Amendment Act, 1936. This clause states that “it shall not be lawful for any employer bound by this award to employ or to continue to employ in the industry . . . any adult person who is not for the time being a member of an industrial union of workers bound by this award or who is not for the time being a member of a trade union which was registered as such before the first day of May. 1936, and which is bound by this award.” l-’or the purposes of tiie clause "a person of the age of 18 years or upward and every other person who, for the time being, is in receipt of not less than the minimum rate of wages prescribed by this award for workers of the nge of 21 years ami upward shall be deemed to be an adult.” Mr. Mountjoy stated that the employers hoped ultimately to bring in all the employers under a Dominion award. A start was being made with Canterbury and Wellington. The employers realised that their claims would have to be amended in certain respects in view of the recent legislation. They realised that the 40-hour week was to come into operation, and that the wages of the workers would have to be increased. The employers, however, hoped the workers would agree to a 44-hour week in view of the difficulties encountered in getting sufficient number of trained men in the industry. Mr. Chapman emphasised the remarkable return to prosperity of the industry, a prosperity which he believed would last for at least two years. He quoted figures in support. Private cars registered in 1933 totalled 136,009; in 1936, 149,904; trucks, in 1935, 38,556; in 1936, 42,198; motor vehicles (including chassis) imported in 1934-35, 15,409; 193536, 23,687. Because of the remarkable return to prosperity, said Mr. Chapman, the industry was working full time with the maximum number of hands. In depression times men were dismissed, and the wages were necessarily low. But with the present prosperity the depression conditions should not be tolerated. It should be granted that an increase in wages to the workers was due. Before the depression skilled tvorkers were earning between £6 and £7 a week. The union aimed to restore that condition of affairs. The union recognised that to enable this to be done the industry was entitled to receive adequate tariff protection. '1 he employees were prepared to . assist the employers, when necessary, in any representations for such adequate tariff protection. The industry could very well become a major industry employing 10,000 men and would become so with adequate protection. Mr. Chapman alleged that there was considerable discontent among the workers in the industry, and that acceptance by the employers of the counter-claims would make for more satisfactory and efficient working to the benefit of everybody. ... , Mr. Chapman said they did not expect the introduction of a 40-hour week would embarrass the employers for long in obtaining a sufficient number of trained men. After a long sitting the council, unable to reach an agreement, decided to refer the clauses relating to hours of work and wages to the Arbitration Court. AH the machinery clauses, however, were accepted by both parties after several minor alterations.