PRIVATE HOTELS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 143, 18 June 1915, Page 8

PRIVATE HOTELS

ARBITRATION COURT AWARD IMPROVED CONDITIONS. The conditions of labour of employees in Wellington district private hotels, clubs, and restaurants are set forth in an award filed by the Arbitration Court [ with the Clerk of Awards (Mr. G. S. j Clark). In a memorandum attached to the award, the Court states that the principal questions submitted were: (a) As to the establishments to be brought under the award as "private hotels" ; (b) ac to the minimum rate of wages, and (c) as to holidays. The memorandum adds that the so-called private hotels are really public boardinghouses, and carjy on business in much the same way as ordinary hotels, differing from them only in that they are not licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquors. The Court is of opinion therefore that as to their general management and the conditions of workers they should be placed on the same footing as hotels. Referring to wages, the memorandum states that the Court has fixed these at the same rates as those already provided for workers in similar capacities under the award dealing with licensed hotels. Regarding holidays, the Court mentions that it was clearly intended by the Legislature that private hotel* should be brought under the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act, 1908, and its amendments; but, owing to a defective definition in the Shops and Office* Act, 1910. this rntention has been, U> a large extent, defeated. The Court has, therefore, remedied the defect as far as the establishments bound by the award are concerned by incorporating the pro visions of these Acts in the award and applying 'them to such establishment*. The Court has also availed itself of thfc provisions of section 8 of the Shops and Offices Amendment Act, 1913, and granted all workers covered by the award one whole day's holiday in eacn week, in lieu of the half-holiday or whole holiday provided by the Act, tb.ua placing the workers on the same footing m this respect as workers in hotels. The memorandum adds: "It appeared from the evidence that lti some of the establishments covered by this awaid the workers obtained meals of a vejry unsubstantial character. The Court has therefore provided that workers in all establishments (other than private hotels which have to provide workers with their board and lodging or their equivalent) shall be provided, with substantial meals or the means to procure them be paid in addition to the wages fixed." The schedule relating to private hotels provides for wages for kitchen arid scullery hands ranging from £4 10s to £2 (for males), while females are to be paid three-quarters of these rates. The wages for dining-room hands are: — Wait, ers, £l 12s 6d ; waitresses £1 2s 6d ; housemaids, 17s 6d ; housemaid-waitresses, 20s; pantry, males 27s 6d, females 20s; porters, day £1 7s 6d, night £1 10s; general hinds (not lift boys and buttons), £1 7s 6d; billiard markers, £1 lOs; laundresses, £1 se. Where boaTd is not provided, an extra 15s a -week is to be paid, and where lodging is not provided 7s 6d a week extra. As regards oyster saloons, restaurants, tea and luncheon rooms, and refreshment rooms, the wages vary from £3 15s to 17b 6d, according to the grade of the worker. Two substantial meals a working day are to bo supplied. Clauses are also inserted dealing with general conditions, and providing that the hours of v/ork ehail be the Bame as those set down by the Shops and Offices Act, 1908, and its amendments. In lieu of tho half-holiday or whole day provided by the Act, one full day's holiday shall be allowed. The term of the award is for two years. ' ' '