THE FURNITURE TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16007, 27 August 1915, Page 5

THE FURNITURE TRADE

CLAIMS OF THE UXHTs"

The hearing of the Auckland United Furniture Trades Union's dispute was commenced before a Council of Conciliation yesterday. Mr. T. Harle Giles, Conciliation Commissioner, presided. Messrs. W. J. Cousins, W. Smith, and W. H. Cooke were the assessors for the employers, and Messrs. A. E. Adams, W. Manson, and J. Barlow were assessors for the union. The union asked for a 44 hours week, for a rate of Is 6d per hour for journeymen, cabinetmakers, upholsterers, turners, picture framers, polishers, and wire mattress makers, as against Is 3d and Is 3id in the previors award, and for Is lid for labourers engaged in unskilled work. Overtime was aaimed at time and a-quarter for the first two hours, and time and a-half up to 10 p.m., and double time thereafter. The apprenticeship clause provided for a sliding scale of wages from 9s to 30s a week. The preference clause provided for all employees to become members of the union within 14 days. Other clauses related to casual labour, helpers, and general conditions of the trade, the term of the ward being left open. The commissioner said he considered the dispute should be settled without difficulty. | The council then proceeded to discuss various claims for exemption, and afterwards went into committee. At the end of the day there were still a few points remaining to be discussed, and the council adjourned until 10 a.m. to-day.