Textile Workers Seek New Award

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 11

Textile Workers Seek New Award

CONCILIATION COUNCIL MEETS BUT NO ARGUMENT

Instituted by the Manawatu Flaxmills and Flax Textile Employees' Industrial Union of Workers, Conciliation Council proceedings were conductled in Palmerston North yesterday for a Iney award, the only party cited by the /application being New Zealand Wool)packs and Textiles, Ltd., of Foxton. The [previous award was for a term of 12 \months. Mr. M. J. ReaTdon, Conciliation Commissioner, presided. ) The employees’ advocate was Mr. F. D. Cornwell (Wellington) with Messrs. , 11). Newton, D. Ellwood and A. Harvey Uall of Foxton). Tho employers' advo- i jeate was Mr. >S. I. McKenzie (Palmers(ton North) and the assessors Messrs. F. W. Vickerman, E. W. Sutton and W. E. Hale (all of Foxton). The wages now set out for youths in tho award aro as follow; First six months, £1 per week; second six months, £1 ss; thidr six months, £1 10s; fourth six months, £1 15s; third year, £2 2s (id; fourth year, £2 12s Gd; fifth year, £2 3s Gd; thereafter the rate for adults. The rates for female workers are: First six months, 16s; second six months, £1; third six months, £1 4s; fourth six months, £1 Ss; fifth six months, £1 12s; sixth six months, £1 16s; fourth year, £2 Is; thereafter, £2 7s Gd. Workers on night shifts are paid Is a shift extra. Claims advanced by the employees sought a 40-hour week and the employers wanted a 44-hour week. The wages for youths suggested by Ihe employees were as follow: First six months, £1 ss; second six months, £1 10s; third six months, £1 15s; fourth six months, £2; third year, £2 7s 6d; fourth year, £2 17s Gd; fifth year, £3 7s Gd. Tho employers’ offer was: First six months, 15s; second six months, 19s; third six mouths, £1 3s; fourth six months, £1 7s; fifth six months, £1 11s; sixth six months, £1 15s; fourth year, £2; fifth year, £2 ss; sixth year, £2 12s Gd.

The wages for females claimed by the employees wore: First six months, £1; second six months, £1 4s; third six months, £1 8s; fourth six months, £1 12s; fifth six months, £1 16s; sixth six months, £2 Is; fourth year, £2 7s Gd; thereafter, £2 12s. The rates suggested by the employers were: First six months, 15s; second six months, 19s; third six months, £1 3s; fourth six months, £1 7s; fifth six months, £1 11s; sixth six months, £1 15s; fourth year, £2; thereafter, £2 7s 6d. The employees claimed an adult workers' wage of 2s Gd au hour aud the employers' offer was Is 9d. The claim by the employees for night-shift work was 2s Gd extra, and the employers offered Is extra. The term of the award sought was 12 months and the employers’ suggestion was that it operate until tlxp end of the present calendar year. Both sides suggested that piece-work rates be a matter for arrangement, but not to be less than 10 per cent, above the minimum rates specified. Consideration was then given the claims and counter-claims, an effort being made to align the two, but no agreement was reached despite an amended scale of wages offered by the employers.