INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 106, 6 May 1915, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

BUILDERS' LABOURERS. The builders* labourers' dispute was commenced before the Arbitration Court to-day, Mr. Justice Stringer and Messrs. Duthie and M'Cullough being on the Bench. Mr. E. Kennedy appeared for tho union, and Mr. W. A. Grenfell for the employers. The union asked for a forty-four hour week and wages at the rate of Is 4d an hour; also the old style of preference. Exemptions from the scope of the award were granted the City Council, Harbour Board, Miramar Borough 1 Council, and Patent Slip Co. Application was made also for exemption by > a number of other employers. To these the union objected, and 'Mr. Grenfell suggested, as a compromise, thai the limited exemption made in tho painters' award be agreed on. In opening his case, Mr. Kennedy submitted that Is 4d an hour was recognised as a fair wage in some cases) in view of the fact that thoro was much broken time, and a higher rate was therefore necessary to permit of the earning of a living wage. Evidence was given by a number, of witnesses in support of tho union's demands. (Proceeding.)