FIRE BRIGADES

Grey River Argus, 28 May 1938, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADES

First Provincial Award WAGES INCREASED. The first industrial award covering fire brigade employees in the Welling? ton, Taranaki and Nelson industrial districts, except Wellington City, has been tiled by the Second Court of Arbitration. The award fixes the minimum weekly rates of wages as follows: Watchroom attendants, £2 10s for first three months to £3 6s for over 21 months’ service; firemen, probationer firemen, £4 2s 6d; third-class firemen, £4 ss; second-class firemen, £4 10s; first-class liremen, £5 2s 6d; senior firemen, £5 ss; mechanic, £5 10s; foreman or station officer, £6. It is, of course, a provision that all workers over 21 shall be paid not less than £3 16s per week. Motor drivers ,'re to be paid 5s per week in addition to the above wages. Meal money is allowed at Is 6d per meal.

Each worker is to be allowed 24 hours’ continuous leave commencing at 9 a.m. every fourth day, providing that when an emergency,prevents the leave being taken the leave shall be made up. On the completion of six months’ continuous service, each worker is to be granted 28 days’ leave without deduction of pay. Payment for such holidays is to made before file worker goes on leave.

Whenever a member by sickness or rendered unfit, for duty, he is to he paid full pay during the first fourteen days, and at its expiration the board may review I lie case on its merit s. Other clauses cover the definition of workers, the issue of uniforms and equipment, beds and bedding, charters, and daily routine. Payment for salvage is fixed at 3s per hour from; 8 a.m. to 5 p.nr., and at. 4s per hour; from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. The term of the award is Io betaken as from April 13, 1938. until Ma- 9. 1939.

“The principal matters referred to the Court were definitions, wages, leave of absence, and the scope and term of the award.” said Mr Justice Hunter, in a memorandum to the award, “'rhe Court recently made an award for tire brigade employees in Auckland. Following on that the parties in the Wellington City area agreed on the terms of their award. In this case the Court, has followed, in the main, its decision in the Auckland dispute and the agreemnt of the parties in Wellington. This decision represents the views of a majority of the Court. Mr Duff does not. agree with the rates of wages awarded, it being his opinion that they are on too high a scale having regard to other concessions, principally the provisions relating to extended holiday leave.” Mr L. Glover, secretary of the union, stated that country brigades had been brought under an award for the first time. The was a considerable difference so far as conditions were concerned, but provision had been made for a disputes committee, which had power to adjust matters not definitely set out in the award.

The award aplies to the following brigades, and will also cover Taranaki and Nelson when completed: Dannevirke, Feilding, Foxton, Hastings, Levin, Masterton, Napier, Ohakune, Otaki, Pahiatua, Palmerston North, Petone, Taihape, Waipukurau, Wairoa, Wanganui, Woodville, Carterton. Eastbourne, Eketahuna, Featherston, Greytown, Havelock North, Huntcrville, Lower Hutt, Martinborough, Marton, Raetihi, Shannon, Upper Hutt, and Waipawa.