BAKERS DISPUTE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 69, 21 March 1912, Page 7

BAKERS DISPUTE.

BEFORE THE ARBITRATION COURT EMPLOYERS IN DIFFICULTIES. Three years ago the local bakers ■truek — and failed. They desired better •wages and less hours. To-day the workers came before the Court of Arbitration; A minimum wage of £3 lite for foremen and £3 6a for other hands is now sought, as well as a reduction in the hoars ot labour. The present waged are £3 3s for foremen, £2 13s for second hands, and £2 8s for third hands. An extra holiday lor the bakers' au Dual picnic ia desired. The employers have always granted the holiday, but objected to having it specifically included. Mr. Andrew Collins and Mr. Coopei appeared for the employees, Mr. H. F. Allen and Mr. W. A. Kellow for the Master bakers, and Mr. W. A. W. Grenfell for the pastry-cook employers. In reference to the question of fixing the foremen's wages, Mr. Justice Sim said the Court should not do ei>. After Mr. Collins had opened for mally, Mr. Kellow said the employers conceded the reduction of hours to forty-eight, but held that no Teast»n had been grven why the conditions should be altered. They desired to adhere to the present award. If the men goL preference, then the employers desired a preference against non-members of the masters* union. The latter point wan agreed. His Honor eaid it was proposed to abolish the classification altogether. Foremen could arrange with their employers with a fixed minimum. Mr. Kellow replied that the employers wanted classification of foremen and Beccmd hands. Already, with overtime., foremen were drawing nearly £4 per y?eek, and journeymen nearly £3. Th* industry could not stand a bigger tax than that at tho present time. Mr. Cooper pointed out that, without classification, injustice might be~ done in the country by employers only paying foremen £2 13s. This was strongly deprecated by Mr. Ker-6w. s zLr. Grenfell asked for a renewal of the present award, and strongly objected to the demands. CANNOT "PASS IT ON." James Godber, pastrycook, in his evidence, declared that if he had to pay £3 5s a week to all his employees he would go into liquidation. Profits were exceedingly email, and increases of wages could not be passed on to the public, a# a penny cake had to be sold for a penny and a shilling cake for a shilling. The Court reserved its decision.