PLASTERERS' DISPUTE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 73, 26 March 1912, Page 8

PLASTERERS' DISPUTE.

The application of the Wellington Plasterers' Union for a new award was considered to-day, before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. P. Hally) and Messrs. Sievwright and Atkinson, who acted as assessors for tho union, and Messrs. A. Wilson, F. Foldey, and C. T. Emeny, assessors for the Employers. During the hearing Mr. £. Kennedy appeared as agent for the union and Mr. W. GrenfoU 26 agent for the employeis. The proceedings were not open to the press. The union asked for a reduction of working hours to forty-four per week, but the employers were not prepared to grant this. Some difficulty arose between the parties as to what constituted a plasterer, and objection was taken to the inclusion in the dispute ol fibrous plaster makers, cement floor makers, and patent plaster workers. The union aaked for an increase in wages of from Is 7d (the ruling rate) to 1* 9d per hour, b'u£ this was refused by the employers. The clause relating to apprentices wsie agreed to by tho partiee — an increase of 2b per year in each stage of apprenticeship^ being granted. Overtime rates similar to thosa in the present carpenters' award ■wero agreed to. Conditions relating to suburban work and preference were not agreed to. The proceedings ware adjourned after 1 p.m., and the Conciliation Council will in due course make a recommendation.