COOKS AND WAITERS' UNION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1908, Page 11

COOKS AND WAITERS' UNION.

HALF-YEARLY REPORT. The half-yearly meeting of the Cooks and Waiters' Union was held last even ing. The secretary's report stated that the union continues to make good progress. The expenditure for the half-year was exceptionally heavy, the items "country organisation ' and donations being out of the ordinary. Over £17 had been voted during the period covered by the report, to the assistance of other labour organisations. The receipts totalled £23 over the expenditure, and the accumulated funds of the union now amount to £158. The membership of the organisation increased by the entrance of 126 male and 39 female members during the past six months. An indication of the operation of the preference clause is given by the figures tor entrance fees of women workers for the various periods. From November, 1906, to November, 1907, during which period the Conciliation Board's recommendation operated, and preference of employment was granted to women workers in hotels and restaurants, a total of 385 females , joined the union. In November, 1907, the Arbitration Court deprived the union of "preference," 6o tar as the employment of women assistants was concerned. This year of no preference brought only 107 female members into the organisation. In other respects, the court's award is much the same as the board's recommendations. The women workers are receiving the same advantage as they reecived afc the time of the operation of preference, yet they keep aloof from the union. The report states further that, despite the encroachment of women on the industrial field, it is impossible to convince them, or interest them, in the advantages of organisation. Their wage-earning life lasts, on the average, only till the marriageable age, and they take no concern in improving industrial conditions while working for an employoi. Tho half-year has been responsible for the inception of two country branches of | the union. It will be the object of the union to inaugurate a federation of the four Do- | minion unions during the next few months. Satisfaction is expressed at the splendid success achieved by the union in connection with its registry office work. An average of ten to fifteen engagements is secured for members through the office weekly. The report concluded by stating that the present award expires in a year, and that in the meantime an attempt would be made to extend its operation to the count?! .district*.