DRIVERS' AWARD

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 133, 2 December 1936, Page 13

DRIVERS' AWARD

POINTS FOR COURT

EXTRA PAYMENTS

All major points in the Dominiondrivers' dispute were settled in conciliation council and when the Arbitration Court was asked to make an award today only four minor points had to be decided. The drivers were represented by Mr. A. Parlane, secretary of the New Zealand Federated Drivers' Union,: supported by Messrs. C G Lindsay (Auckland), E. Parlane (Christchurch), and W. Herbert (Dunedin), and the employers, were represented by Mr. H. Bishop. Mr. J. C. Black appeared for the South Auckland Council of Carriers' Associations. Mr A. Parlane explained that four matters had been referred to the Court by the assessors. There were rates of pay for casual workers; hours of work for drivers in establishments where the weekly hours are fixed at under 44; rate of pay for Sunday work; and extra rates for bakers drivers commencing before 7 a.m. _ A number of applications for exemption were also brought before the Court. The workers were prepared to accept the rate for early-morning work ruling in 1931—1s 3d an hour—and as extra payment had been provided for Sunday work in past awards they asked for double time for Sundays worked. They had asked for 6d an hour above the ordinary rate and a minimum of four hours' engagement for casual workers because of the extreme casualness of the work and because the drivers did not participate in the holidays provided for permanent drivers. However, in view of the Court's pronouncement regarding the 1931 rates, they were prepared to accept 15 per cent, above the award rates, as that was the average in 1931. On the question of hours the drivers asked for the same principle as that applied to the storemen and packers, whose hours arc fixed "according to the house." In reply to Mr. A. L. Monteith (workers' representative), Mr. Parlane said the Is 3d asked for bakers' drivers commencing work before 7 a.m. was in addition to the ordinary weekly rates. If the early start resulted in overtime it would have to be paid, at double rates. Evidence regarding the hours worked by casual drivers was given by Mr. Lindsay. CASE FOR EMPLOYERS. Mr. Bishop said that the casual rates must depend on what the industry could bear, and he submitted that 5 per cent, above the award rates was sufficient. The whole driving industry had altered tremendously since the first Dominion award was made in 1926. In all branches of driving there had been tremendous developments since then and even since 1933. There had been a great increase in the number of privately-owned vehicles and the Government had legislated and issued regulations for the control of driving. He submitted that the industry had changed to such an extent since 1931 that the 1931 conditions need not be adhered to. The Sunday work done by drivers, Mr. Bishop said, was mainly the transport of cream, wool, stock to freezing works, and racehorses, and the employers claimed that these services were essential and consequently extra payment on Sundays should not be imposed. He'called Mr. H. S. Fanning, secretary of the Cunningham Carrying Company, who said his company collected milk for the Wellington City Council on Sundays and also transported horses after race meetings. If extra payments had to be made they could not be passed on. (Proceeding.)