Clerical Workers’ Dispute

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 237, 7 October 1936, Page 4

Clerical Workers’ Dispute

MAIN ISSUES REFERRED TO ARBITRATION COURT

Per Press Association,

AVELLINGTON, Last Night.

The manufacturers’ section of the Wellington clerical workers’ dispute, which was adjourned on Thursday last to enable a private conference to be held between the parties, was resumed to-day iu conciliation council before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr M. J. Reardon).

Mr Nisbet (for the employers) said that since the last meeting of the council the assessors on both sides had met in his offico and had spent’a couple of hours in discussion. The employers’ assessors had very substantially given an indication of their views on the question of wages, the main point, and he thought it was up to the workers’ representatives to say whether in view of the discussion that had taken place they thought it worth while proceeding in an endeavour to settle the dispute.

Mr Pharazyn said that the workers’ representatives definitely thought it worth while carrying on. He suggested they leave the question of wages ucantime and try to clean up the conditions of employment, on which they were in closer agreement. It was agreed that there should be uo reduction in wages or dischargo of any employee in order that work might be done by a lower-paid worker. Every casual worker is to be paid 20 per cent, above the weekly rate. Nothing in the award is to apply to executive officers receiving more than £4OO per annum.

No major clauses were agreed to. Wages together with hours of work and the holidays clauses were referred to the Arbitration Court for a settlement.

Tho proceedings commenced last Thursday.