LINESMEN'S AWARD

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 145, 16 December 1927, Page 4

LINESMEN'S AWARD

"WHAT ABOUT BREAKDOWNS?"

. The HuttValley Power Board, at its meeting yesterday, received -from the New Zealand Electrical Federation copies of the award in the electric linesmen's.; dispute. The Power Board's assessors were, it was stated, quite satisfied witji the award, and three important things.had been gained. These were (1) that. foremen and troublemen were to. be exempt from the provisions' of the award; (2) that power boards have t^e right to have shift work (for move than two consecutive nights) at ordinary day rates; (3) that boards shall have the right to employ boys at special rates.

| Mr. E. Windley: "What'provisions are made for breakdowns?" : Mr.. A. J. Hobbs: "I can'assure you that your representatives have got the best, possible provisions they could." llr. Windley: "Yes; it's all right as far as it goes, but what about our service in the event of,a breakdown? The foreman and' troubleinen can't always cope with tho breakdowns." Mr. A. J. M'Curdy: "You never had any hope of getting an award with any provisions other than that you must pay overtime for hours other than those between 7;30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Tho "workers' union wanted the hours to be • 8 a:m. to 5 p.m." . ' Mr. \V. J. M'Ewan: "We were not fully informed of what was before the Court, and we had no opportunity of lodging a protest." ■ Mr. Hobbs mentioned that the matter had been considered by the secretary, the engineer, aud himself, but several members considered that it should have been considered by the whole board. Mr. A. Anderson,: "We can't do anything now/but we will have, to -look out •next time. You will get your hours shortened and your wages increased every time if you are not represented."