MOTOR-BODY WORK

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 41, 16 August 1930, Page 7

MOTOR-BODY WORK

NEW AWARD SOUGHT

The hearing of the application of the employees in the coach and motor body industry for a new Dominion award was continued in the Arbitration Court yesterday afternoon.

.. Mr. B. Martin (Auckland) appeared ifor the workers' union, and Mr. W. J. Jiountjoy was advocate for the employers: '

Mr. Mountjoy said the employees askted for-a reduction of hours from 47 to 44, ;the hours to be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; in addition, they asked for an increase of pay from 2s 3d to 2s 6d an hour.' The employers objected to these demands on the ground that if they were- granted the industry would receive, a serious setback. As to the suggested exemption of panel beaters, the employers urged that a panel beater ■was a coach worker, in the same manner as were a painter and a trimmer. The building of a motor body was tho' cooperation 'of the various branches. The employers asked for the rate of Wageß to remain at 2s 3d, that being the. rate; for journeymen in similar trades. Female machinists were employed in the trimming department in •large establishments, and were consider-ed-necessary in cases of mass production. The indications did not suggest that in the near future the trade would so improve as to justify the demands of the workers.

Evidence was given in regard to the condition.of the industry and with respect to a number of technical matters in motor body construction. • The Court reserved its judgment .