DENTAL ASSISTANTS’ AWARD

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 24, 23 October 1936, Page 6

DENTAL ASSISTANTS’ AWARD

Almost Complete Agreement

“I think this sitting calls for commendation,” observed Mr. S. Ritchie, conciliation commissioner, at the conclusion of Conciliation Council proceedings in the 'Wellington Dental Assistants and Technicians’ Industrial Union of Workers’ dispute yesterday. “It reflects great credit on the common sense of the assessors for both parties, that in this, your first dispute relating to the profession, yon have reached almost complete agreement. I congratulate both parties.” The assessors were as follows: — Employers: Messrs. A. W. Nisbet (secretary of the "Wellington Manufacturers’ Association), N. M. Irwin (Masterton), E. R. Wimsett (Palmerston North) and W. P. Sommervilie (Wellington).

Employees: Messrs. F. Cornwell. W. Pnrves, E. C. Bolt and P. C. Wilson (Wellington). It was agreed to work a -JO-hour week, the time to be worked from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m, on Monday, 9 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. on four days, and from 9 a.m. until 12 noon on the weekly halfholiday. One hour is to be allowed for dinner. Technicians were divided into three classes and the wages agreed upon as follows:—

A grade: Workers competent to complete processing of all classes of vulcanite, thermo-plasties, clasp work, gold work and in the use of artificial stones. £6 per week. B grade: IVorkers competent of doing all vulcanite work, simple gold work and in the use of artificial stones, £5 per week.

C grade: Workers with not less than five years experience, but not qualified, according to the definitions in A and B grades, may be employed during the term of this award at not less than £4 per week. For all overtime, time and a half rates of pay were agreed upon for the first three hours and double time for all overtime in excess o-f three hours. The following holidays were agreed upon :—-New Year’s Day, January 2, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anniversary Day, Labour Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Anzac Day and the Sovereign’s Birthday. "Work done on any of these holidays or on Sundays is to be paid for at double rates of wages. Further, one week’s annual holiday on full pay was agreed upon, and workers dismissed or leaving are to be paid the proportionate amount to which they are entitled for the time worked in lieu of holidays. Wages are to be paid weekly, not later than Thursday, Terms of engagement are to be weekly, one week’s notice to be allowed and given on either side for dismissal Or leaving.

Casual workers were classed as those employed for less than one week, and are to be paid 25 per cent, above the award rates.

Female workers are to be paid threefifths of the male workers’ rates. The term of apprenticeship was fixed at five years, but other questions relating to apprentices were referred to th.? Arbitration Court, with a recommendation that an apprenticeship committee be set up, pending which it was agreed that the provisions ofo the Factories Act apply to juniors now employed. The term of the award was agreed to be for one year, from November 1 next, and its scope is the Wellington Industrial District. WOMEN ASSISTANTS Complete Agreement

Yesterday afternoon the’employers’ and women assistants’ assessors sat in conciliation in an attempt to agree as to conditions for such assistants. The assessors were :—

Employers: Messrs. A. W. Nisbet, N, M. Irwin, E. R. AVimsett, and W. P. Summerville.

Employees: Mr. F. Cornwell, Mr. L. R.iugh, Miss A. Cotpen, and Mrs. E. Kirker (AVellington). "Very creditable work has been put in here to-day,” said the commissioner at the conclusion of the sitting when a complete agreement had been reached. “It shows that dentists and their assistants are endowed with a considerable amount of common sense, in getting together and making this agreement. It is really an excellent performance to meet in conciliation council for the first time and reach a complete ngrement.” During tlie course of discussion on the hours of work clause, speakers for the employers said it was impracticable and not in the public interest to attempt to carry on their profession without having nurses in attendance all the time. Nurses were indispensable to dentists and they recognised that. , For a while it seemed that hours of work and wages questions were going to hold the proceedings up, but after both parties had conferred in private agreement was reached on all clauses.

It was agreed to adopt a 42-hour week, the hours to be worked between 8.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on five days of the week and 5.30 a.m. and 12 noon on the weekly halfholiday. AVomen attendants are to start at the age of 17 years, the minimum wages to be £1 per week, rising by 5/- increments at six-monthly intervals to £l/15/- at the end of two years, and then by increments of 7/6 to £2/10/- at the end of three years. Attendants or senior nurses who do book-keeping with the assistance of an accountant and/or are employed up to 1J hours in workrooms, are to receive a minimum of £2/15/- nt fhe end of three years. Existing wages are not to be reduced by’ the coming into effect of this award.

Overtime is to be paid at the rate of time and a half for the first three hours and double time thereafter. Holidays as in the technicians’ award were agreed upon and also clauses relating to payment of wages weekly, terms of employment, and the scope of the award.

Women attendants Avere granted up to two weeks’ sick leave on' full pay, but a doctor’s certificate is to be produced if required by the employer.