WAGES OF GROCERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18348, 14 March 1923, Page 9

WAGES OF GROCERS.

AN INCREASE SOUGHT.

CLAIMS IN WELLINGTON.

Increases in wages are being sought by the members of the . Wellington ; Retail Grocers' Assistants' "Union, and claims have been presented to the employers .throughout the Wellington industrial district. Some 500 parties have been cited, as on this occasion the union . is endeavouring to secure ;an award embracing the whole of the district and not merely Wellington and suburbs (25. miles radius). The dispute has been set down for hearing by a Conciliation Council at Wellington on March 26, and at Palmerston North on March 28.' / The award rate for grocers over 22 years of age is at present £4 l 2s 6d, two bonuses amounting to 8s -having been deducted. The union is now asking for an increase of 15s weekly on the current wage. Aa effort is also being made to abolish the late night by getting an award, closing the shops at 5.30 p.m.- on five days of the week instead of oh four days as at present. Grocers' shops now close at 1 p.m. on the day of the weekly half-holiday, but the union is urging that the new award should fit the closing hour at noon. ' " '•."•*' •■' " ;"; ',' •- The schedule of wages claimed is as follows, the present rates being ; shown in parentheses:— to 16 years of age, £1 10s per week .-(16s); 16 "to 17, £2 (£1) 17 to 18, £2 10s (£1 7s 6d); 18 to 19, £3 (£2) 19 to 20, £3 15a (£2 10s); 20. to 21, £4 5s (£3) ; over 21, £4 17s'6d. The present award . provides that assistants between 21 and 22 shall be paid £3 10s, and over 22, £4 2s 6d. •• 7 The terms' of engagement proposed are the same as at present, except that the union suggests that where ' white' coats and aprons are worn they shall be supI plied, and kept clean at the employer's expense. An annual ■ holiday of 12 days on full -pay is olaimed, being an increase of five days on! the period set out in the award, but other holidays desired 1 are tho same as are > now granted. : - An addition is sought to the usual preference clause of, the. Court, : compelling an employer employing a non-unionist to notify the union secretary of the fact in writisg within 48 hours. •