ARBITRATION COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18896, 19 December 1924, Page 9

ARBITRATION COURT.

COUNTRY BUTCHERS' HOURS

LATE NIGHT SHOPPING.

Matters in connection with the meat trade were dealt with by the Arbitration Court yesterday.

Mr. S. E. Wright, on behalf of a number C' country butchers, opposed the hours fixed by the conciliation council, and included in the recommendations to the Court.

The hours recommended were: At Hamilton, 7.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on five days, arid 6.30 a.ni. to noon on Saturday; outside of Hamilton, 7 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.. for five days, and from 6.30 a.m. to noon on Saturdav.

The secretary of the butchers' union. Mr. \Y. E. Sill, stated that he had communicated with a number of the country butchers who, in most cases, agreed to the award times fixed. Others had replied that they wanted a variation. Mr. Wright said that in fixing the closinur hours outside of Hamilton no provision had been made for a late night, whereas in Hamilton itself butchers were allowed to keep open until 8.30 p.m. on Eiida v-.

Dec i.sion was reserved

ABATTOIR WORKERS' PAY.

CLAIM FOR AX INCREASE.

A question in regard to rates of pay and conditions at the municipal abattoirs and at 11. and \\ . Tlellaby's abattoirs was raised hy Mr. Sill. who. on behalf of tinbutchers union, said they were prepared to accept the conditions as in the previous agreement, leaving the question of wages only in dispute. Mr. Wright said that, speaking generally. the employers were prepared to accept the conditions of the old agreement except, that they wisher, an alteration i i regard to overtime, "snioko, ' and preference.

Evidence was called in support of tho alterations asked for by the employers Mr. Sill addressed the Court on the question of wages, suggesting that the abattoir slaughtermen had not received incieases equal to those of the. slaughtermen in freezing works. Evidence as to the character of the work was given by a number of employee*. Mr. Wright directed the Court's attention to the fact that, whereas tho freezing works employees only worked during the season, work at the abattoirs was carried on throughout the year. For that reason, he suggested that the rate of pay in the abattoirs should not equal that m the freezing works.

Decision was reserved