COUNTRY BUTCHERS' DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14587, 25 January 1911, Page 8

COUNTRY BUTCHERS' DISPUTE

A PARTIAL SETTLEMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.]

Hamilton", Tuesday. The hearing of the country butchers' dispute was continued before Mr. Harle Giles (Conciliation Commissioner) • to-day, the proceedings not being open to the press. So far the negotiations have been fairly satisfactory, and the major portion of the questions have been settled. The wages have been fixed at £3 5s a week for head shopmen, and £2 15s for all other hands. The hours agreed upon were 52 per week, as laid down in the Shops and Offices Act of last year. Tho holidays - fixed were New Year's Day, 29th January, Good Friday, King's Birthday, . Labour Day, Christinas Day, Boxing Day,, and the day of the butchers' picnic. The working hours are to be fixed between each employer and his employees, so as to suit the exigencies of his business. Work on holidays for two hours at the rate of time and a-half is to be allowed.

The clauses not agreed to are preference to unionists and that the operations of the award should cease in the event of legislation being enacted during its currency : interfering with any of its pro-' Visions. ' '" ,: ..■'■■.

In . connection with preference, the employers submitted a clause on the lines of that in the Canterbury County butchers' award, providing for preleronco only in thet case of the employers having knowledge that suitable unionists are available. This was not accepted by tho employees, who desired a* clause providing that the employer engage any man provided lie becomes a member of' the union within one -month from the date of his engagement. The Council adjourned till to-morrow morning, and should a settlement not be reached i in regard to the disputed clauses, they will be referred to the Arbitration Court for adjustment.