SHEARERS' WORK

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 40, 16 August 1916, Page 10

SHEARERS' WORK

PROPOSED NEW AWARDS.

Proposals for industrial awards for shearers and shed hands in the Wellington Industrial District were drawn up by_ the Agricultural and Pastoral Workers' Conference. The provisions relating to j rates of pay have already been published. The claims contain other clauses for the regulation o£ employment conditions. Hours for shearing shall be from 5.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on five days in the week with intervals for meals and smokeon, and on Saturday from 5.3 C a.m to noon. Shed hands shall work such further time, but not more than 24' hours a week, to clean up the shed. If requested, the employer shall once a- week pay up to 75 per cent, of the amount owing to the shearer or ehpd hand. A sufficient supply of good, wholesome food, properly cooked, shall be provided by the employers,.and shall include vegetable's in season, potatoes, pickles, and eauce, and lib of jam and 1 1b of butter per man per week. Shearers may take a ballot in the usual way if there is doubt as to the sheep to be shorn .being wet; but no shearer shall be compelled to ahtiar a ! sheep which he considers may injuie his health. No shearer shall kick or illtreat a sheep, and when a sheep is seriously injured the shearer shall report the matter to the person in charge of the shed. No shearer shall be compelled to shear any sheep suffering from obnoxious disease. ! The employers shall find free grazing for one horse for each shearer or shedhand. There are provisions also regarding the supply of combs, cutters, etc., fox shearers. All fares to and from the nearest railway station or from shed to shed are to be paid by the employer. Where shearers or shed hands provide their own locomotion, equivalent to the fare shall be paid. No shearer shall bring any intoxicating liquor into the shed. All fees for engagements, made through registry offices, shall be paid by the employer. In the event of a breakdown of machinery or lost time through sheep not being available, the shearers shall be compensated at the rate of 2s 6d jper hour. Where six or more shearers arc employed, an expert shall be engaged., and no man be permitted to occupy .the dual position of shearer and expert.

In the event of sickness breaking out at a shed, an official of the Board of Health shall be asked to report, all expenses to be paid by 'the employer. A member taking ill while employed at a shed shall be conveyed by suitable means to the nearest hospital at the expense of the employer. A proper medical chest shall be provided by the employer for the use of members ill while employed at the shed. Preference to unionists is sought. It is provided that disputes not covered by the agreement shall be settled by the local representatives of the union and the empoyer concerned; and, failing agreement, shall be referred to a Stipendiary Magistrate, work to proceed as usual pending a- settlement.