IN CONCILIATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 275, 20 October 1937, Page 16

IN CONCILIATION

WOOL SCOURERS’ AWARD. AGREEMENT REACHED. Following agreement being reached on a number of minor clauses, the Conciliation Council, _ sitting in Palmerston North to consider a renewal of the Wellington Wool Scourers’ \ ward, yesterday, gave attention to the matters of wages and hours, on which no decisions had been arrived at on Monday. Prior to the adjournment of the council on Monday, the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr M. J. Reardon, indicated his desire that the employees’ assessors consider giving way on their demand for a 40-hour week, the employers having advanced counter-claims for a 44-hours week. On the other hand, Mr Reardon suggested that the employers’ assessors consider increasing their offer of 2s 2d an hour as the minimum wage, pointing out that in other seasonal occupations the rate set hv the Arbitration Court had been 2s 4d. A complete agreement was eventually arrived at. When a return was made to the questions of hours and wages in yesterday’s proceedings, the Commissioner remarked that he did not have much doubt as to what the Court would fix the rate at if the matter went, to the Court. There was little to be gained by delay consequent on the dispute having to await hearing by the Court, For the applicant union, Mr F. A. Dalzell (Feilding) said the union intended, if an agreement was not reached, to apply to the Court for an early hearing at Auckland. The employees wished to work this season under the new award.

Speaking on behalf of the employers’ assessors, Mr S. I. McKenzie remarked that they knew it would be some time—it might be several months—before the Court could hear the dispute if no agreement was arrived at. The employers appreciated that the employees were expecting a rise in wage rates, and the employers intended to endeavour to meet them. However, anything the employers’ assessors offered in the way of increases on _ their minimum 'wages tendered in the counter-claim was contingent on agreement by the applicant union’s assessors for work to be carried on under a 44-hour week. Mr McKenzie then made an offer of rates of pay higher than those in the counter-claim to be taken cither on an hourly or a weekly basis —provided the weekly hours worked were agreed on as 44. At the suggestion of the commissioner, the parties then retired to consider that point, among others, the sitting to be resumed at 2 p.m. _ Among the matters agreed on in the morning, it was decided that where workers are ordered to work overtime at the week-end the employer shall give reasonable notice; that all workers be supplied with the necessary aprons and gum-boots: that a supply of boiling water suitable for refreshment, 'or°a hot water urn. he provided at meal times. The usual clauses as to under-rntc workers, and all workers to be members of the union, were also agreed on. Following the luncheon adjournment, further consideration was given the employers’ offer. . The employers’ assessors emphasised that it was’their final offer The Commissioner said ho felt that a settlement would be more satisfnetory to the workers. To wait for a sitting of the Court meant that it was possible to hold the agreement up for some considerable time.

Mr G. Dowe, for the union’s assessors, asked whether the offer would he extended to place wool sorters on the grading of skilled workers, and Air S. T. McKenzie, for the employers, explained that they considered that sorters were semi-skilled workers. The majority of skilled workers had to pass an examination, and wrtol sorters did not. There would be increased wages to pay under the offer made of about 10 per cent, in the aggregate. Air AV. Tucker (Hastings) emphasis-,

ed that the employers did not wish to take advantage of the fact that the Court would probably not bear the dispute until the season was well advanced. The offer was the limit the industry could pay. The employers would be happy if the Court could hear the dispute next week so that the whole matter could be brought to finality. It was most unfortunate that conditions were such that the Court could not bear any fresh dispute immediately.

The offer of the employers, 4d an hour for labourers and 2s 7d an hour for sorters, was accepted. Additional decisions were that no worker under the age of 18 years oi age shall be allowed on morning or evening shifts. The working hours for the week are to be .44, to be worked between the hours of 7 a.m. and o p.m. on five days of the week, Monday to Friday inclusive, and between the hours of 7 a.m. and noon on the Sflturdny. Shifts oi not more tluin eight hours may he worked of five days of the week and four hours on Saturday morning. AVorkers shall he entitled to a change of shifts in alternate weeks. HOLIDAYS. Tt was decided that holidays he in accordance with the Factories Act, 1921-22 and its amendments. All workers after 12 months’ continuous service shall he granted an annual holiday of one week, those’ with over six months and less than 12 months service a proportionate holiday 7 allowance AVages arc to he paid in the employers’ time and any error or omission is to be adjusted within 48 houis. AVhen hales of wool over 2241 b each aie being stocked four men are to constitute 0 the gang. Any worker, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. when required to attend to any blockage or maintenance of the water channel from the river inlet, or any other source of water supply, shall bo afforded sufficient time to cool off before proceeding into the open air, and shall he paid double time while so engaged, the minimum to be one hour’s payment. AVorkers engaged in cleaning boilers and driers while they are hot shall be paid at the rate of time and a half whilst so engaged. A minimum of half an hour’s payment shall he made.

In the case where three shifts are worked the workers are to be paid for “crib” time, and where two shifts are worked and the machinery is not stopped the workers concerned are to be paid for that time unless they are relieved by other workers. Overtime is to operate as time and a half for the first three hours and double time thereafter. Ten minutes “smoko” is to be allowed morning and afternoon.

The term of the award was fixed for the wages to operate as from November 1, and other conditions from the date on which the Court makes the award, to expire on May 31, to allow the union, if it is desired, to bring proceedings before the Court before the beginning of the 1938-39 season. The wages of boys will he as follow: Under 1G years £i a week, 16 to 16} years £T os, 16} to 17 years £1 10s, 17 to 17} years £1 15s, 17} to 18 years £2, 18 to 19 years Is 4}d per hour, 19 to 20 years Is Sd per hour, 20 to 21 y'cars Is lid an hour, thereafter the minimum rate for adult workers. The proportion of youths shall not he more than one to every three adult workers until three boys are employed and thereafetr one youth to every four men. The items dealing with crib time and “smoko” were the two major items of several that were in dispute at the end of the day’s proceedings and in order to allow the agreement to come into operation immediately instead of being referred to the Arbitration Court it was arranged that both parties would concede certain points hut add a memorandum to the award so as not to prejudice any future negotiations.