EMPLOYERS DIVIDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21473, 22 April 1933, Page 14

EMPLOYERS DIVIDED

RETAIL BUTCHERY TRADE

DIFFERENT TERMS OFFERED QUESTION OF ASSESSORS A dispute concerning the representation of two sections among the employers resulted in a deadlock at a Conciliation Council yesterday between employers and employees in the retail butchery trade. The council was called to discuss new award terms, proposed by 77 retailors, but opposition to the proposals was made by the representatatives of 33 firms which, it was stated, employed cent of the employees in the industry. Although grouped as respondents with this section of the employers, the employees' union was stated by its representatives to be in agreement with the terms suggested by the applicant 77 firms, provided wages were subject to a 5 per cent increase.

Mr. P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, presided. The representatives of the applicant employers wero Messrs. M. J. Barrett, C. H. C. Crang,. A. W. Scotting, R. E. Stott and L. J. Garmson (agent); for the respondent employers Messrs. J. Hellaby, G. F. Lane, C. C. Munro, F. Harrison and S. E. Wright (agent), and for the workers' union Messrs. C. Kelly, H. J. Niepier, 10. Sparrow and W. E. Sill, who acted as agent. A Conciliation Council had been held on March 2 to consider the terms of a new award, the present award expiring on May 3. No agreement was then reached, and in the meantime the 77 retailers named in the citation had filed proposals for a new award, the terms being almost the same as the present award, except for boys' wages, which were reduced. The proposals included a wage of £5 5s 9d a week for first shopmen and £4 7s 8d for other butchers' assistants. Boys under 16 were to start at 17s 6d a week and work up to £2 17s 6d at 20-21. The respondent butchers replied with proposals for a wage of £5 a week for first shopmen, £4 2s as a minimum wage for assistants, and 12s" 6d, rising to £3 10s in the seventh year, for youths. The union replied accepting the conditions proposed by the applicant butchers, except for wages, which were scaled 5 per cent higher. Mr. Hally said he could accept only four assessors for the employers. Mr. Munro said the larger employers did not agree with the terms the applicants were offering the union. "I consider there has been definito collusion between the applicants and the workers' union," said Mr. S. E. Wright. Mr. Law said the smaller butchers were trying to force up wages. The price of meat would then have to rise, and, seeing the smaller men employed few hands and ran their businesses on a family basis, the increase in prices would suit them.

Mr. Garmson, replying on behalf of the applicants, said the small men wanted to see a definito award. The application was in order and the recommendation of assessors was in order. Mr. Hally said he would take the responsibility of referring the question of representation in the Conciliation Council to the Arbitration Court, and the proceedings were adjourned until the Court gives its decision.