WORK OF DAIRYMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15949, 21 June 1915, Page 5

WORK OF DAIRYMEN.

INDUSTRIAL AWARD FILED.

The new award in the Auckland dairymen's dispute was filed by the c'.erk of awards on Saturday. The Arbitration Court has decided that all retailers of milk shy.l receive a minimum wage of £2 10s per week, and, in addition, be paid a commission, to be computed on the average excess of moneys received for milk sold by them, over and above the following basis and at the rate of 20 per cent, upon such excess sums : When the milk is sold at 3d per quart, the basis shall be £11; when sold at 3Jd per quart, £12;»when sold at 4d per quart, £13, and so on, in proportionate increases of £1 for each per quart. The average shall be ascertained once in four weeks.

In the case of rounds where the total weekly value of milk sold is higher than the basis, should the cash collected during the four weeks bo less than, the basis, such shortage shall be deducted from the cash collected during each successive four weeks until the shortage is made up, ouch deductions shall not apply alter the value is higher than the basis.

Where lequired to collect accounts other than his own milk accounts, the retailer shall receive ail additional commission of 5 per cent, on the gross takings of such accounts.

All wages are to be paid not later than on Wednesday in each week. Each worker is to be supplied with one quart of milk, free, per day. Casual labour is to be paid for at a rate of not less than 7s a day. Casual labour means employment for a shorter period than one week, and terminated by the employer. Learners are to he paid a minimum wage of 5s a day for each day that they require a teacher, while learning a milk round; after that they shall receive tho minimum wage of permanent employees. All work done by a retailer, other than the retailing of milk, cleansing his cans, keeping reasonable accounts and 1 books in connection with his round and tho care of his horse, cart, and harness, is to be considered as oveitime and paid for at the rate of Is 3d an hour.

There is to bo one delivery of milk on Sundays, on all public holidays, and on Wednesdays, provided that on Wednesdays, when a general shortage of milk has occurred, tho employer may employ his men to put on a second delivery, tleven consecutivo days' holiday are to bo given each employee on full minimum wage each year. When a worker loses a part of his round, through readjustment or other exigency, he shall be entitlfd to compensation. Tho award is to take effect from July 5, 1915, and will continue in operation till July 4, 1918.