SADDLERS' WAGES

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 107, 6 May 1916, Page 9

SADDLERS' WAGES

INCREASE DEMANDED BEFORE

ARBITRATION COURT

An agreement on all points but the wages of journeymen and apprentices was arrived at by the Conciliation Council in the saddlers' dispute, which came before the Arbitration Court jester'day. His Honour Mr. Justice Stringer presided. Mr. J. A. M'Cullough was' the workers' representative on the Bench, and Mr. W. Scott, the employers' representative. Mr. W. A. W. Grenfell appeared for the employers, and Mr. E. Kennedy for.the employees.

The union's demands were for £3 12s per week for journeymen, and from 15s to £2 for apprentices.

■ Mr. Grenfell said that, although Is 2d per hour (the : present rate) might seem a comparatively low wage, the earnings of the men in ,the saddlery trade were in excess of those of tradesmen who had to work in open places. The overtime worked by them meant an average of 10 per cent, above their wages. The employers made -the offer they had made' before the Conciliation Council—-Id' an hour advance on the present rate. This they thought was a fair offer, and was in accord with the expression of opinion by the Court at Wanganui.

In reply to his Honour, Mr. Kennedy stated that, the settlement of the dispute in Wellington would mean the settlement of the dispute in other centres.. His Honour: There is no dispute as to the • female workers. , Mr. Grenfell: No, your Honour. You will see by the returns that the female workers are very substantially paid. The Court deferred its decision.