ARBITRATION COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18435, 15 June 1920, Page 10

ARBITRATION COURT.

SITTING IN CHRISTCHURCH. MANY APPLICATIONS FOR BASIC WAGE AND BONUS. A Bitting of tbs Arbitration Court ms opened in Ckrintchurch yosterdaj before his Honor Mr Juatico Stringer (president) and Messrs IV. Scott (employers’ representative) und J. A. M'Cullough (employees’ representative). Mr P. Cooper appearod for tie employers in moat disputes. The Court eat until 5 p.m., and most of its time was occupied by applications to increase wages to tlio bwsio wag© of 2s an hour, with ad au hour bonus, from May 1, 191 X), in accordance with a rocont pronouncement by the Court. GAS COMPANIES’ CLERKS. When the gas companies’ clerks section of the Clerks and Oitico Workers’ Union (Mr It. D. Martin) brought up their case, Mr R. C. Bishop (.secretary oi the Christchurch Gas Company) said that he wished to know ii the dispute would bo considered as relating to a separate section oi the class of work involved, or if it would bo part of the whol‘9 dispute. Would the case of each section oi the clerks be on its own merits, nnd the decision bo confined to that section? .Ili3 Honor said that each section woul d b* dealt with on its own rnerita. The decision in each cans would bo complete and selfcontained. Mr Bishop asked if the Court's decision would bo considered in relation to a general award covering ail classes oi work in ga»tvorks. His Honor said that if it was oonvenient to a large concsru to have a single awurd, and unless reasons wero given to the contrary the Court wouid favour that arrangement. Hearing of the dispute was deferred. GAS WORKS SHOF ASSISTANTS. The Eotuil Shop Assistants’ Union (Mr Martin) asked that the Christchurch Gas Company, th» Timuru Ga 3 Company and the Electrical Department of tho City Council should, be added to tho shop assistants’ award. His Honor said that lu December, I9lb, the Court had ruled that tho employers cited did not come into tho same class as the employers effected by tho award. It had not boon ehowu that tho conditions had altered since the Court gave its previous ruling. Mr Mnrtin said that tho Court at that timo did not understand the conditions. Mr Bishop said that mo other gas company in Nc\y Zealand had beon brought under tho award. In other places, an employee received £3 os a week, and an employee of tho Christchurch Gas Oompany, doing the same work but without great experience, after being in tho show room for crilv a short time, received £3 10s, and tho sums went up to £3 15s and £t 10s. His company wouid have added tho bonus given by tho Court ini Gisborne in May, but, in view of tho dispute now being hoard, felt thnt it would look hs if it was buying silence. Whatever decision the C-ouri gave, this company would pny the bonus, and would make it retrospective to May 1. His Honor said that technically salesmen in tho Christchurch Gas Company'# offices wero shop assistants and there was good prima fncie evidence to show that tho company should bo joined to tho award. Tho application would bo adjourned until cert sitting of the Court. If then the union brought evidence to allow that the company should bo joined, tho Court might join it. If it did do so, it might mak-o some modifican tions in tho award, in respect to tho employees concerned.

QUESTION OP CLASSIFICATION. Mr l?.*nxi, for the Gasworks Employoos’ Union, applied for an amended award in order to bring blacksmiths and mechanics into tho class of (drilled workora and to bring other employees into tbo semi-skilled class. Ho said that tho application was tnado in view of a recent pronouncement by tho Court in Gisborne, which affected tho wages of men graded in different classes. Hie Honor Baid that when tho Court at Gisborne spoke of skilled, semi-skillod and Unskilled workers it was eposking generally end wa» using well-known phrases, whose definition wns dearly understood. It oould not on an application of that nature go into tho grading of employees in gasworks, where there was a variety of classes. The object of the pronouncement wne to avoid certain anomalies, which did not affect gasworks. Mr Bishop stated that ho bird to try to protect the unrepresented third party, the general public, and the company should not bo called upon to moot tho extravagant claims being inado. Mr Benn said that the Court had agreed to give other workers a bonus of -id an hour and that gas workers should receive the name increase. His Honor said that the application would be considered. FEDERATED BOOT OPERATIVES. The Federated Malo and Female Boot Operatives’ Union asked for the basio wage of 2s an hour and tho boiuiß of Sd an hour for men, and wages for women and girls as follows:—Employees in the hoot and shoo industry who have served four years and upwards, £2 10s a weok; hot-wnx thread machinists, £2 17s 6d. It was asked that tho employees should be given thp “ clothing

bonns of Id an hour, and also the May bonus of IJJ an hour. .Mr C. A. Watt, for the union, eaid that the application, which un Dominion in choractor, was made on aocouut of tho Court's pronouncements, tbo increased cost of ]i v inf*, and the unhealthy conditions oi the industry. The employees wero skilled, and their work, as demonstrated by bools and shoes produced in Court, was as Rood as work in any olhor part of the world. Tho manufacturers had the advantages of increased production and increased cash turnovor, duo to greatly increased prices. It was reasonably practicable for tho Court to adjust wagon in tho industry. Messrs B. Maoplebeck, H. Clark and J. B. Framo appeared for tho employers. Mr Mapplebeck said that tho employers had given increases in accordance with what they felt was tho quality of tho work. The employees in that industry could not bo placed in the same class as plumbers and other skilled workers. In some cases men in tbo trade could do operations aftor a low hours’ instruction. They could not be compared with men who had to serve years of apprenticeship. SiA?o 1900. tho industry had bRd remarkablo development, but mainly through the uso of machinery, which had re ducod the cost of production. 'Somo of those machines could be operutod by boys. Although there had been large increases in tho prices of boots and shoos, ii tbo public know how tho cost, of material had increased they would bo surprised that tho manufacturers could produco the goods at all. .Tho manufacturers throughout the Dominion already had given a bonus, following tho Court s pronouncement in Gisborne. They objected to the Court’s basic wage being givon in tho industry, and felt that they were doing all thov Were called upon to do until tho prosent award expired in November next. They now wero facm* a falling market. He was afraid that there was ft neriod of depression in front of them. Manufacturers had given two increases in wages since January 1 last. They already were paying 13s Gd a wook m increases, and now were askod to pay £1 3s Gd It was goine too far. If the application was granted, it would bo the first time that any union had actually got ahead of the cost ° f Mr* Watts eaid that during tho war men had been brought into tho industry, had been converted into skilled worr.ers, and should be naid accordingly. The .present was inoilo two months before tho Court fixed its basic wage, and it was now asked that the employees, in justice, should bo given the b 'Hi°s lSr eaid that th. Court would give its decision later. HAN ME It WAITRESSES.

Janet Macdonald, “The Lodge.” Hanmer, and Ann R. Lohmert. "Amur! Grange, Hanmer, applied for exemption from tho pnrnto hotels’ and country hotels’ employees Wanklyn appeared for the applicant*, and Mr It. A. Brookes (secretary) for the UI Tho applicants said they were rvillinff to pay tho award waRO3. but oould not observe the holiday and hours clauses of the award. His Honor said that tho Court probably would be ablo to give them relief. MILLS EMPLOYEES. Mr J Flood, for the Flour, Oatmeal and Bailoy Mills’ Employees ’ Union, applied that tho Court's basic wage should be granted to tbo union, and that there should be a frosh classification. Mr Coopor opposed tho application on the ground that the industry was controlled by tho Board of Trade, and tho employers were powerloss to recompense themselvos for tho increased cost. Mr F. C. Corson said that the employers did not object to tho increased wages. but wero waiting for an Order-in-Council firing the prices of bran and pollard. His Honor said that tho Ctjurt would come to a decision without waitiug for the Order-in-Council. BASIC WAGE. OthtT applications for the basic wage ol 2s an hour *nd a bonus of 3d an hour were mado by tho Painters’ and Decorators’ Union (Mr H. Hunter), tho Canterbury Traction and Stationary Engine-drivers’ Union, tho Canterbury Tanners’ and Follmongers' Union (Mr Ellis), tho Canterbury Brush and Broom Workers’ Union, tho Canterbury Leadlight-, and Glass Workers’ Union, tho Canterbury Timber, Sawmills and Coai Yards Employees’ Uniou, the Christchurch Manufacturing Jewellers', Watchmakers’ and Clockmalters’ Uniou, tho Local Bodies’ Labourers’, General Labourers’ and Quarrymen's Unions (Mr H. Worrnll) and the Canterbury Furniture- Trades Union. Mr Coopor opposed tho application for the basic wage and bonus to the painters and dccoratora, and called evidence to show that tho inoreaso would bo a blow to the painting trado throughout New Zealand, and he asked that, as the award would expire fn November. no alteration should ho made at present. Tho Court hoard tho grounds for tho application in each caso, and his Honor said that they would ho considered. r THE BONUS. Applications were made as follows for the bonus of 6s a week or lid an hour for malos aaid 3s a week for females and youths, as from May 1,1920 Canterbury tea room* and luncheon rooms employees, Christchurch private hotels’ and oyster saloons’ employees, Christchurch licensed hotels’ employees, Canterbury private hotols' and board-ing-houses’ employees, Canterbury licensed hotels’ employees, Canterbury grocers' assistants, Christchurch picture theatres and front of house, employees, Christchurch performing musicians, Canterbury drivers, Canterbury local bodies’ drivers, porters, cleaners and lift attendants, and carpenters and joinors. Ia regard to performing musicians, -Mr

Cooper ©biacted to tho increase to thom o"> the ground that they worked overtime when) engaged at thoatTos and other plaoea b> the' evening. The Christchurch Tailbresses’ Union (J£r 3?. It. Cooke) asked for a bonus for millinx ors. Mr Cooler said that there was no objecto the bonus for adults, but employers telt that it should not be given to apprentices, Mr Renn, for the Christchurch Newspaper Reporters’ and Proof-readers’ Union, asked ior the Cs bonus, and also fox e, bonus of in a wook which, ho said, the union had lost by delaying tlio award, whieh resulted in the Court not. attaching that bonus to the Christchurch award, although it was granted Tho°rn, n “ ln i I>une ' iin an ll Auckland Tf “ 9 h . net^’ lrc b journalists asked to h« nihstß. m th<> Mmo position «« °th« jourTho employers wets represented by Mr S Lm aW? Phishing dmpanS ana Mr a. &. Henderson “ Lyttelton Times ’» S“ P in nr the on the 4s borm S * a3 . in the old award and also in Ib© nresent award and tho employers' did not why they should pay it twice. ** snid th «t tho Court would five its decision on all the applications later. PARTIES JOINED. Parties wore joinod to the following *™ d V“ She ( arerß Rnd * hed hands ffil 5*4 iS?USL k “2sa. ”S“,r ax a?r”'

MISCELLANEOUS. ~^"MS3“a £ , 4 *S52 I £s rs?'c t.ire**L«ss , a ( , ld tba t' the dispute would take a day Som l Wellingfon. reßreMUtatiVflS ™ ld attoßd Monday! 0 ” 01 “ id th ‘ 4 h would *»• oa His lionor said that the Court would plaor the Christchurch saddlers on the tame foot* In S as tho Dunedin saddlers. Iho Court deferred consideration of an ary. plication by Mr F. M. Robson, for the Cantcrbury Boot Operatives’ Union, for in* creased wages to boot-repairers on acoaunt of the increased cost of living. >t. H J°? OD ° T > in reply 40 Mr laid that the Manure and S'oapworkora’ Union objected to a proposed clause in the agreement providing for night work, promieed that the Court would see that the night workers aro proteoted. , The employers did not oppose an epplioa. tion by the Canterbury Btonemasons’ Union (Hon J. Barr) for' a basio wago of 2s an hour and a bonus of 3d an hour, and the application was granted. The Canterbury Bakers' end Pastrycooks’ Union’s dispute was reforrod back to the Conciliation Council. DATES OF HEARINGS. Ths following dates were fixed for hearings:— Tuosday, June 16—Chrintchuroh Tramway employoes, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Juno 16 —Mustarers, ahophorda and packers, 10 a.m. Thursday, June 17—Engineers, electricians, cycle workers and metal workers, 10 a.m.; plumbers and gasfitters, 2 p.m. Friday, Juno 18—Upholsterers, 10 a.m.; local bodies’ drivers and other drivers to follow. 1 Monday, June 21—Printing trade, 10 a.m. i female bookbinders and boxmakers to fob low. Tuesday June 22—Tailoring trade, 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 23 —Lyfoid and Hapuku Dairy Company, 10 a.m. Thursday, June 24—Bakers and pastrycooks, 10 a.m.