COACH WORKERS’ AWARD

Evening Star, Issue 22891, 24 February 1938, Page 13

COACH WORKERS’ AWARD

PIECEWORK CLAUSE OBJECTED TO DISPUTE IN CONCILIATION COUNCIL [Per 'United Press - Association.] WELLINGTON', February 24. Strong opposition to the retention of a piecework clause in the award was expressed on behalf of the workers at the hearing of the Wellington, Canterbury, and Westland coach workers’* dispute in the Conciliation Council today. - Despite assurances that theers did not seek any unfair advantage from the clause, there was no agreement on the question, which was referred to the court for argument, together with other points m the dispute. , The piecework clause objected to reads; “ Piecework may be worked in. any branches of the trade provided that the rates so fixed shall be such as will secure a competent worker at least 10 per cent, more than the minimum or ordinary rate prescribed by this award as case may be.” . ■ A statement by an employers’ assessor that the Government favours piecework was emphatically denied by Me Glover for the union. He said it wag the very point on which the Waihl strike was fought, and some of the present Crown Ministers took a prominent part in*it. The public works were not conducted on piecework, but on a co-operative contract, system. He claimed that the piecework system set an unfair general standard. ’ ; Wages and hours will be discussed this afternoon.