ENGLNE-DRIVERS' DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13925, 5 December 1908, Page 6

ENGLNE-DRIVERS' DISPUTE.

ARBITRATION COURT AWARD. The Arbitration Court has ; forwarded its award in the industrial dispute between the Engine-drivers' r Union and 13 steamboat proprietors and contractors in the Kaipara district. Under the new award, which comes into force on January 4, 1909, continuing to January 31, 1911, the following is to be the minimum rate of wages for river engineers and marine en-gine-drivers :—■ On steamers under 30 -tons' net register, £12 10s per month and found; on steamers over 30 tons net register, £13 10s per month and found. Other conditions are to remain as at present. There shall be no discrimination against members of the union. The award is to apply only to what is known as the Kaipara Harbour and all tributaries and waterways leading thereto, the port of Hokianga, and the Waikato River. Mr. Justice Sim adds the following memorandum :—" This did not appear to be a case in which preference ought to be granted, and the Court has inserted only the usual no discrimination clause."

As referring to the Devonport Steam Ferry Company only, the same award contains the following

Hours of Work: The hours of work for river engineers shall not exceed 65 in one week, exclusive of meal hours.

Overtime: All time worked in excess of these hours shall be paid for at the rate of not less than Is 4d per hour.

Wages: River engineers shall be paid not less than £3 10s per week. The weekly wage shall be paid without deduction, save for time lost through the worker's own default.

Holidays: Seven days' holiday on full pay each year at such time as may be convenient to the company shall be given to all engineers who have been in the company's service for a period of one year. -.-"..; Strikes: (a) The union shall do all in its power to prevent a strike, and if any strike shall occur in which any members of the union take part/such strike shall ,be piima-facie evidence that the union has committed a breach of its duty, (b) If any strike occur then the operation of all the provisions contained in the award shall be suspended, and, in lieu thereof, the following provisions shall come into force and shall remain in force until the further order of this Court. The hours of work, wages, and other conditions of work, of all workers coming within the scope of this award shall be fixed by agreement between the employer and the individual workers employed by him. (c) The Court reserves leave to any party bound by this award to apply to the Court for an order under this clause declaring that a strike has taken place or bringing into force again after a strike has taken place the provisions contained in the foregoing clauses of this award.

The award, which comes into' force on December 7, 1908, and is to continue until December 31, 1910, also contains the "no discrimination" clause.

Messrs. Bradney and Binns have been exempted from the award. The Auckland Harbour Board and J. J. Craig were also joined as parties to the dispute, but as no evidence was given as to the work in connection with which they employ river engineers they have not been included in the award.