MILK ROUNDSMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21982, 13 December 1934, Page 9

MILK ROUNDSMEN

NEW AWARD SOUGHT * OPPOSITION BY EMPLOYERS . .'. 5 Alterations in the existing award were sought by milk roundsmen in a dispute discussed at a Conciliation Council meeting. Mr. I'. liallv presided. The amendments desired consisted of a sixdav week, instead of the present sevenday week, increased wages, and an extension of holidays. The parties were the Auckland Dairy Employees' Industrial Union, the applicant, represented by Messrs. J. Purtell, 11. Tomlinson, I. Ellison and 11. Bacon, and the employers cited were Amburys, Limited, and others, who were represented by Messrs. E. Crowther, I. Massev, F. Stonex and W. E. Anderson. The old award states that a. week's work should not exceed 48 hours, to be worked on seven days. The union asked that that clause should be amended to read "six days." In addition, the tinion urged that all roundsmen should be paid £4 6s a week, with a rate of £4 18s a week for men delivering milk in bottles. The employers offered £3 15s a week for ordinary roundsmen and £4 a week for men delivering bottled milk. It was suggested that the 5 per cent .commission allowed roundsmen for collecting other than milk accounts should not be allowed in future. Roundsmen- under tho old award are paid £3 17s 6d and commission and £4 2s if the milk is delivered in bottles. The annual holiday period under the old award is 14 days. The union asked that this should be increased to 21 days, whereas the employers offered seven days. After lengthy argument on the various proposals the proceedings were adjourned to enable the position to be placed before the union. It was announced that the union's representatives would report later to the commissioner.