STAGE EMPLOYEES

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 89, 15 April 1918, Page 3

STAGE EMPLOYEES

NEW AGREEMENT ARRIVED AT,

After a very lengthy sitting under the chairmanship of the Commissioner (Mr. W. Newton), the Conciliation Council arrived at a complete settlement in the Wellington stage employees' industrial dispute. At the conclusion of the proceedings the assessors on both sides thanked Mr. Newton for the patience he had shown, and the kindly consideration he, had given to the parties. Mr. Newton |in turn paid a tribute to the manner in which the dispute had been argued—a clean fight without personalities. Referring to the union's assessors and agent, he complimented'them on the strenuous fight they had maintained. The new agreement is for three years, and it was unanimously decided by the council that it should be taken as a basis' for new agreements in each of the industrial districts of the Dominion. Besides providing for an all-round increase in wages, the new agreement gives better conditions generally. Following are the new rates of wages, with the rates under the old award in parentheses :—Dramatic, comic, or vaudeville stage, minimum wages mechanical staff.—Casual carpenters, Is 9d per houif (Is 6d); men in charge on transport, Is' 9d per hour (Is 6d). Touring;companies: First travelling mechanist, £6 per week (£4 10s); second, £5 (£4); third, £4 ss; travelling flymen, £4 15s (£3 15s). Property department (touring): First travelling property man, £5 (£4 10s); second, £4 5s (£3 15s); third and others travelling, £4 (£3 10s). Lighting department: Electric wiremen, Is 8d per hour (Is 4£d); switchboard attendant in charge, 7s 6d per performance (7s). Touring electrician : First, £5 (£4 10s); second, £4 5s (£3 15s); third, £4 (£3 15s).

Companies not actually on tour.—First mechanists, permanent, £5; casual, £1 per day; second mechanist, £4 10s; property men, first £4 10s; second, £3 12s 6d; casual, 17s 6d per day; electrical hands, permanent, £4/ 10s; casual, 17s 6d; wardrobe masters (permanent), £3 10s ; wardrobe mistresses (permanent), £3 10s. .-■ : , < Doorkeepers are granted £3 a week of' 60 hours, and casual doorkeepers Is 3d per hour. General stage hands are to be paid at the rate.of £1 10s l for seven performances, or 4s 6d for casual performances. . ■ ■ • ■ The new award comes into operation on Ist June, and will remain in force for three years. , ■ . |