FURNITURE TRADE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 151, 23 March 1938, Page 8

FURNITURE TRADE

New Dominion Award Wanted ( SEVERAL POINTS SETTLED The conciliation commissioner, Mr. M. J. Reardon, was engaged in the conciliation council at Wellington yesterday in hearing the application of the New Zealand Federated Furniture Trade Industrial Association of Workers for a new Dominion award. The assessors for the applicants were: Messrs. A. H. Dixon (Auckland), W. Lewis (Auckland), J. Ferguson (Wellington), A. W. Aspen (Wellington), R. Garters (Christchurch), A. H. Scales (Christchurch), S. H. Thomas (/Dunedin), and F. D. Cornwell (Advocate, Wellington). Assessors for the employers were: Messrs. E. Archbold (ChritchurCh), A. Marker (Christchurch), C. C. Ewen (Auckland), B. H. Nees (Dunedin), >S. J. Sullivan (Wanganui), F. Campbell (Wellington), and W. J. Mountjoy (advocate, Wellington). The applicants asked for a 40-hour five-day week (Monday to Friday inclusive), and minimum wages of 2/6 to 3/- an hour for journeymen according to the class of work; for youths, 17/6, for those. under 15 years to £l/7/6 at 16, no youths over 16 years to be employed. For female workers (learners) they asked £l/2/6, rising by six-monthly periods to £2/12/6; at the end of the fourth year, journeywomen to be paid £3/2/6. No learner over the age of 21 years was to be employed at less than £2 a week. In addition to statutory holidays, a week’s holiday on full pay was asked. There was also certain remuneration asked in particular cases under general conditions. The employers’ counter proposals are based for the most part on the present Dominion award, with amendments of a machinery nature. Agreement was reached on the hours clause, and 2/9 an hour for skilled workers was also agreed to. Wages for other workers have yet to be settled. It was agreed that overtime should be at the rate of time and a half for the first four hours, and double time thereafter, except that all work on Sundays should be at double rates. Funeral directors were permitted to employ ■workers on Saturday afternoons without overtime, provided the hours did not exceed 40 for the week. It was agreed to pay improvers 2/3 and 2/6 an hour instead of £4/10/- and £5 respectively. Nearly fill the clauses governing general conditions were agreed to. The council will resume this morning at 11 o’clock.