TAILORS’ UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9088, 26 April 1890, Page 3

TAILORS’ UNION.

THE KAIAPOI FACTORY. Tho following .correspondence has been placed in our hands for publication ■ ■ From the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company, Christchurch, March 13> 1890. ■■■-,; ;■ “ To the Secretary Tailors’, &c., Union, Christchurch. “ Sir,—Replying to your favour of April 12, it is our intention, when the New Zealand or Dunedin log is adopted in our factory, to work under the Dunedin system, and to enable the employees to do so all necessary information will be given to them.—Yours truly, “ H. A’Couet, Secretary.” “Christchurch, April 14, 1890. “ G. H. Blackwell, Esq. ‘‘Sir, —At your request, upon the termination of the deputation from the Tailors’ and Tailoresses* Union which waited on your Directors, I herewith forward a letter containing all that is required to enable you to have the same carried out in its entirety No. 1, That all heads of tables shall be done away with, and that the apprentices be distributed among the pieceworkers, proportion of apprentices allowed being one to five fully employed operatives, to serve the following terms of apprenticeship : Coat making and coat machining, two years ; vest making and vest machining, one year; trousers making and trousers machining, one year; moles and mole machining, six months; time served to moles to count as portion of apprenticeship for trousers making. No. 2. That the pressing or pressers’ log be strictly carried out, the lowest wage to be paid to a weekly wage hand, as per log, to be £3 10s, or paid piecework as per log, and that the pressing be done according to the system, and that the number of apprentices be one to five fully employed pressers, and that the same be bound for a period of three years, and that in no case shall a seam-presser be allowed to press before. No. 3. That the number of machinists be regulated according to the number of operatives they have to machine for, viz,, one for about seven fully employed operatives, and that the same he so arranged that the pieceworkers shall not have to waste time by going from one end cf the room to the other to get their machining done, and that they he paid as per log No. 4. Button-hole machinists to be paid as per log, not lower. N0.,5. Sewing on buttons to be paid for as per log, no weekly wage paid, with six or eight apprentices to be allowed. No. 6. The operatives respectfully ask that you will oblige them by procuring an additional number of irons, as tho present number is not enough for the demand. Finally, the Union respectfully asks that the system in all its branches of work be strictly introduced. “Hoping your Board will comply with the foregoing necessary reforms, “I await your early reply. “ (Signed) M. A. Baxter,” “ Secretary.” “ To G. H. Blackwell, Esq., “ Managing Director.” " P.S.—The Union is desirous of knowing what charges are made against four pressers who have been discharged from the Company’s employ, especially when it is understood that their places have been filled by boy and cheaper labour. “Hoping you will oblige to the foregoing,—Yours, &c., “ (Signed) M. A. Baxter.”, “ 125, Cashel street, “ April 24, 1890. “The .Secretary, Amalgamated Trades “ Union of Tailors, Tailoresses, and “ Pressers of Christchurch.

" Sir, —Your letter of April 14 has been carefully considered by our Board of Directors, and we now hand you their reply, seriatim, to the different points referred to therein:—No. 1. The removal of the table system. The Board considers the system necessary to ensure a continual supply of trained workers to take the place of those who, from removals, marriage, and other causes, are constantly leaving their employ, as also from the fact that there are no skilled workers procurable in this district. By this system the apprentices are ensured a more skilled training, and are sooner qualified to become competent piece workers. The Board, therefore, think this system should be retained in the interest of the apprentices. No. 2. Pressers’ log. This they believe is adhered to, and is now working satisfactorily. Learners are paid on the basis of prices suggested in the letter from yourselves, dated Nov. 30, 1889. No. 3. Machinists are arranged for as per log, and piece workers have been reduced in number to avoid detention. No. 4. Buttonhole workers are paid according to log. No. S. Sewing on buttons. We shall he prepared to pay by piecework as soon as the operatives are trained under a responsible worker. No. 6. Supply of irons. An abundant supply of irons is always provided. Any delay caused arises from workers not returning the irons to the store. No. 7. The pressers discharged were discharged for incompetency. In conclusion, the Board have instructed the factory Manager to adhere strictly to the New Zealand log and system, and have no doubt but that their instructions will be faithfully observed.—Yours, &c., “ G. H. Blackwell, “Managing Director.” “ Christchurch, April 25, 1890. “ To G. H. Blackwell, Esq.. “ Managing Director, K.W.M. Co. “ Sir,—At a meeting of the executive body of the Tailors and Tailoresses’ Union, held on April 24, in the office of the Union, the reply received from your Board in anwer to the deputation, and a letter arising out of the same was read and discussed. I am now instructed to write to you, and state that your Board of Directors are not complying to the letter of agreement on March 13 re the New Zealand or Dunedin log svstem which has been granted to your Company for the factory. Therefore, the Executive body respectfully request that the items 1,2, and sbe complied with to complete the establishing and adoption of tho New Zealand' log and Farther, the executive body beg to point out to your Board or Directorate that all agreements and suggestions which existed under the Christchurch Factory log terminated immediately the New Zealand log and system was established by your Board of Directors, Hoping your Directorate will re-consider the foregoing and comply with the New Zealand log and system in its entirety, which is only in keeping with your letter of agreement. Awaiting an early reply,—l am, &0., “ M. A. Baxter, Secretary. ’