AWARD CLAIMS HEARD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20259, 29 May 1940, Page 10

AWARD CLAIMS HEARD

TAXI-CAB INDUSTRY

POINTS IN DISPUTE

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day.

Many questions concerning the taxicab industry in New Zealand were argued in the Arbitration Court yesterday when the drivers sought higher .wages and a new Dominion award. A partial settlement was reached in the Conciliation Council, and the only clauses the court Was asked to settle were those relating to hours, wages and holidays. The hearing was adjourned till to-day.

The workers claimed a minimum weekly wage of £5 10s, with an additional 5s a week for drivers on duty between 8 p.m. and G a.m., and a 40hour week. Certain statutory holidays and three weeks’ leave on full pay for each nine months’ service were also claimed.

The employers were agreeable to a minimum weekly wage of £4 10s and an annual holiday of not less than seven days. The rate offered for casual drivers was 2s an hour ordinary time and 2s 6d an hour for time worked in excess of 10 hours on any one day.

The workers’ claims lor casual drivers were 3s Id and 3s 7d an hour, respectively. Evidence was called to show that, though higher charges could not be made by the employers, costs had risen considerably, particularly within recent months, when there had been a substantial increase in the prices of petrol and oil.