TOBACCO INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 85, 7 October 1936, Page 13

TOBACCO INDUSTRY

FORTY-HOUR WEEK

NO SATURDAY WORK

The Conciliation Council today heard an infiustrial ■ dispute in which the Wellington Tobacco and Related Trades' Union of Workers were applicants, and W. D. and'H. O. Wills (New Zealand), Ltd., tobacco manufacturers, Petone, and National Tobacco, Ltd., Port Ahuriri, Napier, were respondents.

Mr.' M. J. Reardon,-Conciliation Commissioner, presided; •'The' emplcJyees were represented' by Messrs.' John Tucker (agent), S. Chesney, J. Luke, and.T. J. L. Tucker, arid the employers' representatives were Messrs. W. J. Mountjpy (agent), J. E. Ramsey, E. M. Hunty and Gibson Stott.

Mr. Mountjoy said there was'not a great deal of difference between the claims and the counter-proposals. The employees admitted that speaking generally the employers had treated the employees very well, but as it was the wish of the Government .to have awards covering all industries, it was deemed desirable to conform with what appeared to be the present practice. - ■

The Commissioner asked if manufacturers were giving substantial assistance by the use of New Zealand-grown leaf.

Mr. J. E. Ramsey (W. D. and H. O. Wills, New Zealand^ Ltd.) replied that every possible assistance was given by his company in that direction, and New Zealand-grown leaf was used to the greatest extent that consumers' demands permitted.' . It was agreed that forty hours shall constitute a week's work, and that there be no work on Saturdays. CLAIMS AND COUNTERPROPOSALS. The weekly.rates of wages claimed by the workers commenced at £1 7s 6d for youths under'l7 years and increased by stages.to £5 ss. at 21 years and thereafter: foreman in charge, £7; sub-foreman (each floor), £5 10s; caretaker and yard foreman, £5 10s;.also that all privileges granted to the employees of W. D. and H. O. Wills (New Zealand), Ltd., be continued in the future. The rates of pay for female workers to start at£l 5s and increase by stages to £3 ss;'forewoman, £4 ss. Overtime to be paid for at the rate of time and a half for the first two hours, and double time ■ thereafter.

The counter proposals of the employers in regard to wages commenced at £1 at 16 years of age and under, rising by stages to £4 5s and £4 12s 6d at 21 years, and thereafter: workers in charge of two or more workers, £4 15s; caretaker and yard foreman, £5. The wages of female employees to start at 15s and increase by stages to £2. In addition to these rates for female workers, the employers provided that overpay would be paid for such work as might from time to time be decided upon by the management. The employers proposed that overtime be paid for at time and a half.

After some discussion, it was agreed that overtime be paid for at the rate of time and a half for the first four hours and double time thereafter.

The parties agreed that the pay day be not later than Thursday of each week.

(Proceeding.)