THE DRAPERY TRADE

North Otago Times, Volume CIII, Issue 13505, 29 February 1916, Page 7

THE DRAPERY TRADE

DEMAND FOR NEW CONDITIONS. INCREASE!) WAGES AND SHORTER HOURS. Nearly all of tlic soft goods (tailoring, men's outfitters, and .general drapery) tradespeople of Oamaru have been cited to proceedings in an industrial dispute with the Uuncdiii and Suburban Retail Soft Goods Employees' Industrial Union of Workers, hi the statement of claims appear the following:—{Weekly wages: Departmental managers of manageresses, branch manngers.,or manageresses, £5 10h; window dressers, U 10»; canvassers, £1 15s; seniors, males £3 15s, females ill! us. Assistiuits sixteen years of age and under entering the trade without previous experience ,shall t be paid not less than the rates of wages set out in the following scale, vix.:—During the lirst year of service, mules (per week) 15s, females (per week) 12s (id; second year, males W, females 17s (id; third year, mules £1 7s (id, females £l2s lid; fourth year, males £1 liis, females it 7s lid; fifth year, males £2 ss, females £1 J2s (id; sixth year, males £.' l, females £1 J7s (Id; ami thereafter (for seniors), males £ll 15s, females £2 us. The employment shall be deemed to be weekly employment, and no deduction shall be made from the weekly wages except, for lime lost through the worker's sickness or default. Not less than 3cven days' notice shall be given by either party of the termination of the employment, except in the case of casual hands, but nothing in this clause shall prevent any employer from summarily dismissing' any worker for wilful misconduct. Hours of employment: The ordinary hours of employment shall be as follows:—Seniors and liny person receiving in excess of the senior wage: From t) a.m. to 12 noon or 1 p.m., and from 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on live days of the week, and from 8.31) a.m. to 12 noon on the day of the statutory half-holiday. Juniors: From $.30 a.m. to 12 uodn or 1 p.m;, and from 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on jJi'vo days of Hie statutory half-holiday. Apprentices, slorcmcn, or packers: Prom 8 a.m. to 12 noon or 1 p.m., and from. 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. on live days of the week, and from 8 a.m. to 12 noon on the day of thii statutory half-holi-day. All time worked before or after hours mentioned in this clause shall be classified as overtime and bo paid ity at the rate of time and a half. Holidays.—The following shall bo observed us full holidays,, viz,;— Christmas Day. Boxing Day, Now Year's Day and the day following, Good Friday, Saturday, Easter Monday, Anniversary Day, Labour Day, Union Picnic Day, Prince of Wales' Birthday, and the birthday of. tho reigning Sovereign, . One holiday of two weeks on full pay Bhall be granted to each worker, under the award, on completion of each year'of service.

THE VIEWS OF LEADING DRAPERS. .'.'

The new award in intended to embrace tailors and drapers in general alike. From conversation with some of the leading drapers a representative of th« "North Utago Times" gathered that the proposals set forth in the new demands, generally were viewed Avith disfavour, Of course there were certain clauses which were fair and equit-, able, ami which it was surprising had never been amended. The general opinion was that this was a most unfortunate and inopportune time al which' to embroil the otherwise harmonious drapery trade, with its varied niinilicatioiis, in industrial litigation. The fact of the" war should have stayed the hands of the agitator. The proposal had been. to a certain extent sprung on the trades as a surprise. The assistants'hud nothing to complain about. The introduction of a new award in C'hristchiirch led to wholesale dismissals. The senior hands had to be dismissed, Such an award was calculated to disturb the good feelings existing between employer and employee. One well-known draper said the employer always did his best, but he thought the new proposals asked too much. It was going to the qxtremo, They, were "killing the goose that laid the golden egg." * Another employer of assistants said that the very foundation of the proposed award' was at fault. It was based mi seniority as 'opposed to merit —the only true gauge of the wageworth of any individual, whether draper or anything else. Ability is the criterion of the employer—length of service is no argument. This award, he staled, would upset the basis on which people conducted their businesses. This award would favour and advance the sluggard, kill the initiative iu the progressive assistant, incompetence was catered for in preference 'to undoubted worth. Tliis/gentleman staled thai with his linn those who deserved it received higher rales than I lie present award stipulated; wurlli and usefulness were the. delerininiiig. factors guiding the wages sheet, The proposals in the award would lead to dissatisfaction and would impose an injustice on employer and employee alike. Dismissals are certain to take place, ami the award, aiming at. doing so much good, will defeat its own ends. Several anomalies were pointed out in the new proposals, and, taken all through, thef were regarded as a prime example of the trouble aud inconvenience to which persons will resort in order to foment litigation and further disturb the nlready depressed drapery business,