BISCUIT AND CONFECTIONERY WORKERS

Evening Star, Issue 22576, 18 February 1937, Page 4

BISCUIT AND CONFECTIONERY WORKERS

CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS

[Per United Press Association.]

CHRISTCHURCH, February 17.

Although a tentative agreement was reached on many c.f the minor points in the Dominion biscuit and confectionery employees’ industrial dispute heard by the Conciliation Council to-day, the question of wages was hardly broached when the council adjourned until to-morrow morning. The two sides _ have not yet agreed on a classification of employees, and after the employers had increased the offer of wages in their original statement the council was adjourned for the day. A 40-hour week on five days of the week was agreed to, except in the case of conche room operatives, who can be called upon to work not more than four hours on Saturday morning at ordinary rates of pay, provided that not more than 40 hours are worked in any one week. The employers demanded the right to work night shifts, but the employees said that night work was abhorrent to them. Overtime was agreed to at time and a-haif rates for the first three hours at night time and for the first four hours on Saturday morning, and after these set times at double rates. Piecework was agreed on at not less than the current piecework rates, subject to variation by mutual consent, provided that such worker should receive at least 10 per cent, each day more than if he was employed on a weekly wage.