CARPENTERS’ AWARD

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 42, 13 November 1937, Page 9

CARPENTERS’ AWARD

Provisional Clauses Only TERMS NOT FINAL Though it was said that complete agreement had been reached in conciliation council proceedings, the Arbitration Court at Auckland took more than an hour last Monday to agree to make an award for the New Zealand Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union. Though the award was made its terms are not linal. ~„Mr.. Justice O’Jtegan presided, and, with him were Messrs. W. Cecil Prime and A. L. Monteith. Mr. W.' E. Anderson appeared for the employers and Mr. W. J. Mountjoy, secretary of the New Zealand Federated Builders’ and Contractors’ 1 Association, watched the interests of. the builders. Mr. J. Moulton. national secretary of the New Zealand Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Federation, appeared for the union. Several conditions were attached to the award. They were: (1) That certain parties should be temporarily struck out, and that argument should be heard later, to decide whether they should be parties. If the court decided that they should, the rates of pay then decided should be made retrospective to the date of the meeting in conciliation council, September 15 last. (2) That the clause concerning the fixing of reinforcing steel wall-boards an'd wire-netting should be temporarily struck out, argument to be heard later when the respective awards involved in this, clause—plasterers’ and metalworkers’—were before the court. (3) That the clause concerning work amid acid conditions iu fertiliser companies should also be temporarily struck out. Request for Award. Though complete agreement had been reached, said Mr. Moulton, he had been asked since conciliation council proceedings that a long list of parties should bo struck out. He asked that the award should be made, but he could not agree to the striking out of the parties. Mr. Anderson then suggested that the parties be struck out temporarily with retrospective payment if the court decided to add them to the award. Mr. Mountjoy said the employers In conciliation council had opposed at weekly wage. It appeared to be the court’s intention to lix not only a casual rate but also a lower rate for those in permanent, employment. The builders diil not want a weekly wage. Some parties were not builders but employed carpenters on full time, and they wanted a weekly wage. Mr. Moulton said he was averse to the parties mentioned being struck out, but for the sake of having the award made be would agree. He would also agree to the clause about plasterers and metalworkers, and that about ferti|ser companies, being struck out. It was all right for the union to agree to those things, but his side did not agree to the striking out of the clause relating to plasterers and metalworkers, said Mr. Mount joy.

Answering Mr. Prime, Mr. Mountjoy said he wanted the award made, but not at any price. Tlie award was made on the conditions stated. >