ENGINE-DRIVERS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 42, 18 February 1918, Page 8

ENGINE-DRIVERS

APPLICATION FOR NEW AWARD.

Conditions in regard to engine-driving ; were discussed before the Conciliation Council to-day, the dispute being that initiated by the Wellington Stationary; Traction, and Locomotive' Engine-driveiV Union. Mr. Yv. Newton, Conciliation Commissioner, presided. ■-. ■ ; ■ The principal items of the claims were' as follow (a comparison with the' old award being given within brackets): Hours' of work: 46 per week .(48). Overtime: Time and a-half before 10 p.m., and double time thereafter (time | find a-quarter for first three hours and time and a-half. thereafter). / Holidays : Those specified in the present award, with the addition of Boxing . Day, time and a-half to be paid'for work' done on such holidays, with the exception of Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Sunday, when double time shall be ,'. paid. , ' ') ;: Wages: 'First-class stationary engine-.' I driver, 14s a- day (116); second-class stationary engine-driver, 12s 6d' (9s 6d) ;; traction or locomotive engine-driver, 14si (10s 6d); for work requiring no certiii-!'. cats' for engines of less than 144 circular',, inches, 12s (lls); firemen and greasewi, , 12s (9s); firing two boilers, or boiler and gas-producer, Is per day extra ; v.getting.',. up 6team or banking fires.outside ordinary hours, 7b per week extra (ss); dirt.' money,' 2s 6d per hour (Is per day extra) ; and youths, 18 to 19 years, lOd an hour' (7£d); 19 to 20, Is per hour (9d). Assessors were: For. the union; Messrs. Thomas J. Cain (Auckland), ; James O'Brien (Weatland), and John : Bead (Wellington). For the employers: ' Messrs. W. Cable, J. Harland, and J. J. Clarke. Mr. W. A. GrenfeH appeared as agent for the. employers, . '.' Exemptions were applied for in a number of cases. It was granted to the Union Company, the Harbour Board, Poverty Bay employers, and conditionally to the Gear and Meat Export Companies. The application of country sawmillera for exemption was referred to {he ' Court. ■ . ■ With regard to the claims generally, Mr. Grenfell said there were the usual demands for reduction of hours and in-.' crease of wages. Engine-drivers .were, employed in a wide range of industries, •and if the engine-drivers' hours were reduced it would be a case of the tail 1 wagging the dog. • •,', Mr. _ Read said that most industries mV the city were now working 44 t0"46; hours 'a week, and there was no reason why engine-drivers should have longer hours. He suggested that the enginedrivers ehould be regulated according to the time worked in the factory. ■'■'.• The Council proceeded to discuss the claims clause by clauce. (Proceeding.) . ".'