CONCILIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1938, Page 6

CONCILIATION

CARPENTERS’ AWARD. (Per Press Association —Copyright). WELLINGTON, September .21. The method of paying wages on an hourly basis, instead of a weekly one, was'- blamed in the Conciliation. Council to-day by the workers’ assessors as one of the reasons for a shortage of tradesmen in the Dominiop. The case was tlijjt of carpenters, joiners, etc. The union, which asked for payment on a weekly basis and also that a worker employed for less than 52 weeks be classed as casuals at an hourly rate of 3d higher than permanents. Mr Mountjoy, for the ’ employers, said the employers had discussed the principle of weekly wage earlier, and were opposed to it. Builders could not make provision in tenders for payment for time lost through wet weather. The Arbitration Court in fixing skilled rates, made allowances for broken time-

li. Stanley (Auckland worker representative) said, hundreds ,of men bad left the trade and taken up other work, because bv that step they liad, in some measure, economic security. In oue organisation in the Dominion 300 carpenters were not now working at their trade.

J. Bishop, representing all employers not in the trade, said these-were inclined to favour a weekly basis of payment where it was possible. Without payment for lost time, they would consider a weekly wage in terms of tlio Arbitration Court order of a 40 hour, five-day week. The union sought to make the wage demand £6 per week, plus 51- per week tool allowance. The employers offer 2/8 per hour with three farthings per hour tool money. Practical/ no progress was made.