THEATRICAL WORKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15503, 9 January 1914, Page 5

THEATRICAL WORKERS.

DISPUTES IN DUNEOIN,

BETTER CONDITIONS WANTED.

[BY TELEGKAFH.PBESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedlv, Thursday. The Conciliation Commissioner sat here this morning to hear the Dunedin stags employees' dispute. Mr. R. Breea acted as agent for the union. Mr. Breeh said he understood that this dispute was adjourned from Christchurch, . in order to see what would be done in I Dunedin. • The award was the first sward I made. They had to overcome certain difficulties at that time, and the union accepted probably lower wages than they would have done had their organisation been complete throughout New Zealand. When the award was made in 1910,' the wages were made the same as those paid in Australia, which had been increased, and the local union now asked to have their award amended, in order to brim* it into line with the wages now paid., by managers in Australia. If the employers here would agree to accept the award made in the Commonwealth, the employees would be satisfied. . . =•.;. After discussion, Mr. Breeh suggested ■ that the assessors should retire, in order to see what offer the employers Would make in connection'with the night hands. This suggestion was adopted. 'Later 3 when the parties came together again, Mr. Breen said that the commissioner bio'suggested that the dispute should -lie adjourned to Christchurch, and ; thai'Vona assessor should, be appointed from; I)vmedin, Auckland, "and Christchurch, to; meet there. He felt that the responsibility was too great for them to make any alterations here, and they would rather that,..each centre should have a say in de^&Tnj£ ■; matter. •■■..•■,_■-.• .. r ~•«.:,•..*«:>. The dispute was then adjjpurnesf \t U> January 20, at Christchurch. ; .''"' */;■;'' The Conciliation Commissioner' "then' eat to hear the application of "the Dunedirt Theatrical Employees' (other-than,-stage hands) Union faran award. '"Mettiterkaf this union constitute what'. is ]mpjsa''aa ! the front of the house staff.- 'The applii cants asked:—(l) That the hours';'of Work ■ should be>-a 3 follows: Ticket \ W 7.-P.m. to 9.15 p.m., matiifges 1.45 I p.nte to-3.15 p.'m.} ticket-takers, .ushers, barrier men,' packers, and .eloakmiovattendants, evenings 7 p,m. 'clearing 'of the house, matinees 1.45 p.nj. to clearing of the house; ticket-takers,-%tc':;'to\be in attendance until the covering in of .the " seats is completed by them; after 1 ' the" I 'per- " formance. (2) The minimum rafe of wages snail be 4s per 'performance,., 'men -and ■ , women regularly employed day' and&ghfc to receive not less than Is sdrp#4bnr, I matinees to. count as performances and to be paid for whether or not : the; performance .takes place, provided that withuie- " spect to continuous pictures' a" performance shall mean a period .not-"exfeaine "■■' three hours, either dav or night. \$Y M time •. worked before, or after' .'the "Emirs . stipulated in clause.. 1 shall be paid'"for •' at the rate of Is 6d per tour." "■ (4)"JElmployees shall be paid all moneys 'due; to them before completing their work on Friday or Saturday of each week?'.(s) '? All engagements to be weekly,, .wiEh. /a • '■: week's notice on either side. , {6) bers of the union to be employed /s;jfc*" tj' ference to non-members. V.■'-V--''".'">,-•'s' Mr. Fuller said that the ..e'rhbjldyeirs 7 thought the present application^.lwas 7 carrying unionism too far. A; manager 7. could pick anyone off the street aad,;ir» three minutes make him competent ion the work. : V •. " f ';v .■ ; The commissioner said he did nok think ■ the theatrical proprietors,; were going- &o " suffer by the union having an. award, Jand added that it seemed to him -that ihey were onlyasking for a reasonable ."'. After the commissioner had conferred with the employers he intimated- that ' they had decided that the dispute" should % be referred, to the Court, as. they did,not - consider it necessary' to have► any; such union, or any awardv:.;oie;,matter .was then referred to the Arbitration Gourk-