RADIO WORKERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 15

RADIO WORKERS

AGREEMENT REACHED

NEW WELLINGTON AWARD

A complete agreement was reached yesterday in the- industrial dispute between the Wellington Electrical Workers' Industrial Union of Workers and the employers.

Mr. M. J. Reardon, Conciliation Commissioner, presided. The workers were represented by Messrs. N. Bailey, L. Townsend, H. C. Jones, B. J. Cocksedge, and H. E. Swindell (agent), all of Wellington, and the employers by Messrs. C. A. Ashbridge, P. B. Collier, and R. Slade (all of Wellington), W. R. Cunningham (Masterton), and S. I. McKenzie (Palmerston North, agent),

The award is to cover workers in Hawke's Bay, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Wairarapa, and Manawatu. In the case of all workers, the provisions of the Factories Act, 1921-22, and its, amendments relating to holidays, statutory half-holidays, and Sundays, and to payment for all work done on such days, are to apply. There is to be one week's holiday per year , on full pay.

, It was agreed that a 40-hour week, worked from- Monday to Friday inclusive, should apply, and that overtime should be paid for at the rate of time and a half for the first four hours and thereafter double time. Wages for youths from 4<? to under 21 years are to range from'lss to £3 10s weekly, and for femaks from to £2 7s weekly. Clauses, relating to the definition of work, travelling time, termination of employment, and union's access to workers were agreed to. ■,■-.■ , - \

The subject of wages for servicemen and adult male workers caused much discussion. At about noon today the workers' representatives retired to consider an offer by the employers. 9n returning, Mr, Swindell stated that a point on which he was not, satisfied was the provision . made for unlicensed men, many of . whom were highly skilled but CQuld.not pass an examination,

The minimum.weekly . wage, rates finally approved arev as follows;— Licensed, servicemen during, first year of licence, £5; licensed servicemen during second year of licence, £5 2s 6d; licensed servicemen during ■ third year of licence and after, £5 ss; unlicensed servicemen with ten or more years', experience, £4 15s; all p.ther male workers over 21, £.4 10s. The award is not to apply to persons receiving over £.360 per annum. A licensed serviceman in charge of three or more licensed servicemen is to receive Is 6d per day extra.

The award is tq date, from June 1, 1938, and is to remain in operation for one year,