Brewery Workers Ask for increased Wages

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 120, 22 May 1940, Page 7

Brewery Workers Ask for increased Wages

ARBITRATION COURT RESERVES | DECISION Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 21. A Dominion dispute (except Otago and Southland) between tho Brewers, Bottlers, Bottlewashers and Aerated Water Employees’ Union and New Zealand Breweries, Ltd., Wellington, was heard in the Court of Arbitration to-day. Mr. N. V. Douglas appeared for the union and Mr. W. J. Mount joy for the employers. Decision was reserved. Tho employees asked for a 40-hour five-day week, eight-hour shifts to be worked only in malthouses and cellars and where the worker was required to work not more than three Bhifts in any week. Pay at overtime rates was sought for workers employed on shifts for a full week of 40 hours and 3s per shift in addition to the ordinary wage rate was asked. Tho wages sought were £6 a week for coopers, £5 15s for head-ers-up, all other workers 21 and over £5 5s a week, inaltliouse workers 10s a week extra. For time worked in excess of ordinary hours overtime at double rates was sought. The employers asked for a 44-hour week to be worked on five days or five and a-half days when required. They objected to a 15 minutes’ smoko in the morning and afternoon which was asked for and suggested that during the war tho union should carry on under the present hours and conditions, particularly because of tho early hearing by the Court of application to increase wages generally. Wages in the prosent award were £5 8s lor coopers, £4 15s for inaltliouse labourers and nignt cellarrnen und £4 10s for brewery and bottling house labourers. Mr. Douglas said a Dominion award was sought to secure uniformity. There was no need to alter tho present hours. The Aucklana rates had been fixed by the Court and not in conciliation. The industry had been well able to carry on with a 40-hour five-day week. lie asked tho Court to note his strenuous objection to the employment of youths in breweries.