ELECTRICAL WORKERS

Evening Star, Issue 22067, 28 June 1935, Page 5

ELECTRICAL WORKERS

NEW AWARD SOUGHT QUESTION OF PROVISION FOR RADIOTRICIANS Further discussion took place yesterday afternoon at a sitting of the Conciliation Council on the question whether provision’ should be made for radio servicemen in a new award for which application was made by the Dunedin and Suburban Electrical Workers’ Union. Messrs L. Johnstone, I. M'Bnde, M. Corlet, and J. Robinson acted as asses-: sors for the union, and Messrs S. F. Chalmers, C. Sonntag, R. Walls, and F. G. Scrivener for tho employers. Yesterday morning the employers’ assessors asked that the names rtf radio dealers be deleted from the list of parties, it being contended that there was no direct relationship between the work of electricians and that of radiotricians, and the council adjourned for lunch to allow both sides to consider the question of provision being made for radiotricians. . When the council resumed in the afternoon, Mr Scrivener said that bis side was of opinion that if the radiotricians were strong enough, they should make an effort to obtain an award of their town. The commissioner (Mr S. Ritchie) said that if it were a case_ of splitting the agreement in halves it would bo necessary to adjourn, to allow the employees’ assessors to refer the matter back to their union. Mr Robinson asked if tho employers would be prepared to negotiate for a separate award for radiotricians, as it would be no use going to the expense of filing a citation ■ if the employers would not agree. Mr Scrivener said that this aspect had-not been considered by him and his fellow assessors. It would bo necessary for radio dealers to get together and discuss the position. Mr Robinson suggested that a private conference between the parties might be held, after tho radio dealers had come to a decision, and if this proved satisfactory, a citation could be issued. To obtain a satisfactory working basis the question of hours and overtime for radiotricians was then dismissed tentatively, and Mr Scrivener said he would put the proposition before a meeting of radio dealers which was to bo hold in the near future. The union’s demands with regard to wiremen were then dealt with, and after a lengthy discussion, complete agreement was reached on all points. The commissioner, pointed out that this agreement did not affect radio servicemen, whose position would be considered if necessary, at a future sitting.