MUSICIANS' DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 132, 1 December 1936, Page 11

MUSICIANS' DISPUTE

FULL AGREEMENT

CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS

A complete agreement was reached in the Conciliation Council yesterday afternoon in the Wellington performing musicians' industrial dispute. Mr. M. J. Reardon presided. Messrs. W. J. Mountjoy (agent), W. Burton (Fuller-Hayward Theatre Corporation, Ltd., Wellington), F. Carr (Majestic Cabaret, Wellington), H. Stringer (J. C. Williamson, N.Z., Ltd.), and F. Hilton (Hataitai) appeared for the employers, and Messrs. J. H. Collins (secretary of the union), Leon de Mauny, J. J. Drew, and A. G. Avery, all of Wellington, for the workers. Application is to be made to the Arbitration Court next Friday to have the agreement declared an award and brought into operation as from next Monday. Some ol the major points settled, as regards wages and hours, are as follows: —Every performer employed at general theatrical performances, including operatic, touring pictures, dramatic, comedy, vaudeville, etc., shall be paid £4 a week for six performances, and 12s for each matinee. Performers at permanent vaudeville or variety shows shall be paid £3 16s a week of seven performances, and 12s for each matinee after the first. A permanent show is classed as one that shows in a town for four weeks or more. Performing musicians directing an orchestra shall receive not less than £1 5s per week above the ordinary award rates and pro rata payment where the performances do not extend over six nights in the week. The leader in an orchestra of six or more shall receive not less than 10s per week above ordinary rates. For performances on Christmas Day, Good Friday, or Anzac Day, performers on weekly rates of pay shall be paid an extra day's pay, and performers on hourly rates of pay shall be paid double ordinary pay. PICTURE THEATRES. In picture theatres musicians may be employed in the pit, well, on stage, or precincts of theatre at the following rates of pay:—For six or more performances in any one week, 8s 4d a performance; for three, four, or five performances in any one week, 9s for each performance; for two performances in any one week, 12s 6d each performance; for one performance, 15s. For the purpose of the preceding paragraphs a performance shall be: Between 7.30 p.m. and 9 p.m., or between 8 p.m. and 9.15 p.m. All time worked before the hours of commencement in either case shall be paid for at the rate of 5s an hour. Notwithstanding the rate of' remuneration as set out above, if a perform-, ance extends beyond 9 p.m. or 9.15 p.m., as the case may be, a musician shall be paid not less than 13s 4d per performance. Performing musicians directing an orchestra shall be paid 2s 6d per performance in addition to the above rates. For performances on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Anzac Day, or Sundays double ordinary rates shall be paid. If required, a musician shall rehearse for seven hours a week without payment, rehearsals to be held as near as is possible immediately preceding a performance. Time during which a musician is engaged in rehearsing in excess of seven hours in any one week shall be paid for at the rate of 5s an hour. Notwithstanding anything contained in the'preceding paragraph, a musician shall be paid at the rate of 7s 6d an hour for any time during which he is required to rehearse after midnight. CAFES. Performers engaged in cafes, tea rooms, hotels, b'-.irding-houses, and private hotels between 9 a.m. and 10.30 p.m. are to be paid 4s an hour, with a minimum of £2 in any one week, in the case of weekly engagements, and 8s in the case of hourly engagements. Musicians employed at skating rinks shall be paid at the rate of not less than 12s for each performance of not more than two hours and a half; any time beyond the time specified shall be paid for at the rate of 5s per hour. Singlehanded engagements 15s. Performers in charge of orchestra shall be allowed 5s above ordinary rates; music allowance, 2s 6d. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Pianist only. £1; where orchestra is engaged, 15s each performer. From 8 p.m. to 12 p.m.: Pianist only, £1 ss; where orchestra is engaged, £1 each performer. After 12 p.m.; 7s 6d per hour each performer. From 10 p.m. to 12 p.m.: Pianist only, £1; where orchestra is engaged, 15s each performer. From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Pianist only, £1 12s 6d; where orchestra is engaged, £1 7s 6d each performer. From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.: Pianist only, £2; where orchestra is engaged, £1 15s each performer. Musicians may be employed by the week as follows:—From the hours of 9 p.m. to 12 midnight on six nights of the week and including from 12 midnight until 1 a.m. on two days ot each week, at ,a weekly wage of £5 ss. The leader of an orchestra employed under this clause shall be paid £1 Is in addition to the weekly wage. OTHER WORK. Picnics.—From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with one hour for lunch, £1 2s 6d; from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., 15s. Bandmaster, at least 5s extra. Ship Cruises, Excursions, and Races. —Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., not less than £1 7s 6d; between the hours of 12 noon and 6 p.m., not less than £1 2s 6d; between the hours of 1.30 p.m. and 6 p.m., not less than 17s 6d. Bandmaster at least 5s extra. Garden Parties:—ss an hour with a minimum payment of 12s 6d. Bandmaster, 5s extra. Sports, etc., not otherwise provided f or _From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with one hour for lunch, £1 2s 6d; from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., 15s; from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., 15s. Bandmaster at least 5s extra. Shows, Bazaars, Exhibitions, etc. —12s for each performance of two hours and a half. Bandmaster at least 5s extra. Professional musicians regularly employed in "full-time" theatre on completion of each 12 months' continuous service under this award, shall be granted one week's .holiday on full pay. When any work is performed in excess of the hours fixed by this award it shall be paid for at the rate of sr. per hour (except where otherwise specified). The award is to apply to performers employed to play musical instruments (whether mechanical or otherwise) at skating rinks, public and private dancing assemblies; in hotels, cabarets, cafes, refreshment rooms, and in connection with dramatic performances, variety and picture entertainments, shows, circuses, operatic, comedy, and grand opera companies; orchestral and other concerts; and engagements at outdoor amusements. The terms "orchestra" or "band" in the award mean three or more musicians performing together. The term of the award, which covers the Wellington industrial district, is to be for one year. _ , For his second offence of drunkenness. William Anderson, a bootmaker, aged 53, was fined 10s, in default 24 hours' imprisonment, by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today.