FREEZING WORKERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 192, 16 July 1941, Page 2

FREEZING WORKERS.

: GUTMEN'S WAGES INCREASED. , (Press Assn) WELLINGTON, July 15. An increase in the rate of pay for gutnien by Id an hour has been granted by the Court of Arbitration in the new freezing workers' (except Westland) award, which applies to all branches except the clerical branch, and to all related trades, except where such are carried on apart from the freezing industry and are covered by other awards or agreements. The award is for one year. The matters referred to the Court were the definition of the industry to which the award is applicable, minimum payment for waiting time, rato of pay for gutme.ii, minimum weekly wages, and the term of the award. 1 The minimum weekly rates fixed for female workers are from £1 10s for the first six months to £3 for the fifth six months and after. No female worker is to receive less than £] 17s' 6d at 18. £2 5s at 19, and £2 10s at 23. I.n all cases where men are called out and no work, or less than four hoars, consecutive work, is available, they are to receive not less than four consecutive hours' pav at the rate specified. The memorandum of the Court states: "In increasing the rate of pav for gutmen by one penny an hour, the Court has given recognition to the relativo position of these workers as compared with other classes of workers in the industry and consequently the Courts action in this instance is not to be regarded as creating a basis for further demands for increased wages to other sections of workers coming within the scope of tlu"6 award." A dissenting opinion by the employers' representative on the Court, Mr W. C'. Prime, says: "I do not approve of the four hours minimum for these workers. Their rates of wages are in general substantially higher than the Court's standard rates, because the fact that the employment is seasonal and casual is taken into account. Occasional short spells of work are incidental to such employment. A guarantee of fo.ur hours minimum is therefore giving weight to the same factor twice." All rates of remuneration in the award are subject to the 5 per cent, increase of tbe 1940 order.