UNION FORMED

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1936, Page 6

UNION FORMED

OF DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

(Per Press Association.—-Copyright.)

CHRISTCHURCH, May 6. Over one hundred domestic servants who met at the Trades Hall last night, unanimously decided to form a S ou th Island industrial union of workers. Provisional executive were appointed to apply for registration, and to draft claims for an aivard.

Mr G. Roberts, secretary of the New Zealand clothing trades' federation, presided, “if there are two groups of in New Zealand to-day wjib are suffering .under long bciurs duitt low wages,’’ 'said Mr Roberts, “they are farm labourers and domestic seivants Under favourable legislation a change of improving their lot is in hand.” Mr Roberts added that he attempted to form a union, but had failed in UK)7, through the introduction of legislation to prevent domestic workers approaching the Arbitration Court for an award on the ground that they were not employed in an .industry trading for profit. The new Government however, had promised to amend the legislation and workers would be nble to gain the award that had been denied them for

so long. Mr 11. Brooks, secretary of hotel, •restaurants union, suggested the formation of a South Island union as the best means of organising the workers. The North Island would follow the lead and ultimately the two ,hodi.es could be merged into a national iorganisation. “During the /depression’!) ;Mr Brooks said, “many domestic .servants were forced to put up with terrible conditions. They were paid wages that >vere described as being better than nothing. Often their rooms were not fit for a dog to live in. This was the treatment they received from employers who travelled about .-the country staying at expensive hotels, where the tariff was 25/- a day.