FLOUR MILL WORKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16025, 17 September 1915, Page 5

FLOUR MILL WORKERS.

NEW AGREEMENT MADE.

INCREASES IN WAGES.

The Conciliation

•, Mr. T.

Harle Giles, presided yesterday afternooi at a conference between representatives o! the Auckland United Flour Mill Em ployees' Industrial Union of Workers and the Northern Boiler Milling Company, Ltd., and Bycrofts, Ltd: The Northern Roller Milling Company was represented by Mr. J. C. Gallaher, Messrs. J. Fraser and H. McLeod represented Bycrofts, Ltd., while the employees were represented by Mr. F. Niddrie, president, Mr. J. Lee, vice-president, and Mr. B. Dryden, treasurer of the union. Mr. S. E. Wright, secretary of the Employers' Association, appeared for the employers. A full agreemen was arrived at, the conditions of the old award remaining in operation, with the exception that the Court's usual preference clause has been substituted for the one contained in the old award.

The following scale of wages, showing the old and the new rates where increases have been made, was agreed to:—Rollerman and shift miller, from Is 2d to Is 4d an hour; oatmeal and barley miller, from Is 2d to Is 4d an hour; purifier, Is Id to Is 3d per hour; smutter-man, Is Id to Is 3d; assistant, Is to Is 2d; kiln-man, Is to Is 2d head storeman. Is lid to Is 3id; assistant, Is to Is 2d ; packer, Is to Is 2d ; engine-drivers—— where the combined cylinders measure 200 circular inches or over, Is 3d to Is 3Jd; where under 200 circular inches. Is Id to Is ljd. Second and third engine-drivers remain at Is. Engine-drivers, gas-producerwhere plant is capable of developing 70 horse-power and upward—is 3d per hour; second and third engine-drivers, Is lsd; less than 70 horse-power, Is Id per hour; second and third engine-drivers, Is. Boys' wages remain as before. It was agreed that any matters not provided for in the new agreement should be arranged between the employers and the secretary of the union ; in the event of their being unable to agree, the matter to be referred to the Conciliation Commissioner, whose decision shall be final. The scope of the agreement applies only to the parties named therein. It was further agreed that the union should take the necessary steps to have the agreement submitted to the Court of Arbitration for conversion into an award, such award to be . for a period of three years, commencing on October 1, 1915, and ending in October 1918.

Before the close of the conference. Mr. J. Fraser proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the commissioner for the assistance he had rendered in bringing about a satisfactory agreement. Mr. F. Niddrie seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Giles briefly returned thanks for their appreciation of his efforts.