TEST CASES

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 51, 1 March 1921, Page 8

TEST CASES

ELECTRICIANS' WAGES.

Mr. J. S. Evans, S.M., delivered reserved judgment this morning regarding actions brought by Mr. R. T. Bailey, Inspector of Awards, against the Wellington Harbour Board, for which Mr. T. Shailer Weston appeared, on an information alleging breaches of tho electrical workers' award in respect of seven men, two of whom were permanent omployees of the board. It was contended by tho Department that the seven men were entitled to journeymen's wages. In respect of the two permanent hands, it was stated by Mr. Weston that they_ received concessions in respect to lifo insurance, superannuation, and holidays, and that these should bo' included in calculating tho v/agos. The Magistrate, howovor, held that thoee were gratuities, and could not bo counted, as a part of the. wages. Moreover, he held, the class of "work performed by the two permanent men was of a class to bring them within the definition of "having a practical. knowledge of electricity," though they wore not qualified journeymen. Tho other five men were employed in connecting up cluster' lights over ships' holds, purely mechanical work, and the Magistrate- held that there had been no breach in respect of tho wages of those five men. Those informations would therefore bo dismissed, but convictions would be entered regarding tho two pormanent 'men. and penalties of £1 in each- case imposed. The penalty was made light, as tho actions were brought as teat cases.' ••• '