AWARD CLAIM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22489, 5 August 1936, Page 18

AWARD CLAIM

SPORTS GOODS TRADE 40-HOUR FACTORY WEEK MAJOR POINTS FOR COURT FRIDAY NIGHT PAY QUESTION Conciliation Council proceedings yesterday resulted in disagreement on major matters affecting tho employment of sports goods workers, and the questions of wages and holidays, among other claims, are to be referred to tho Arbitration Court. It was agreed that a 40-hour week, of five days, should operate in factories, and that factory workers should be paid for overtime work at the rate of time and a-half for the first three hours and double time thereafter. Agreement was also reached on several minor matters. Tho proceedings were called by the Auckland United Furniture Trades Industrial Union of Workers (Sports Goods Workers' Section), and 23 firms were cited. Mr. P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, presided. The employers' assessors were Messrs. 0 E. Eyre, M. H. Tisdall, M. 11. Wiseman and J. Yock, with Mr. W. E. Anderson as agent. Appearing for the union.were Messrs. A. Robertson, C. Bailey, F. Dymock and A. H. Dixon (advocate). Details of Proposals The union's proposals provided for a minimum wage for journeymen sports goods workers of £6 a week, with £3 for female operatives. Forty hours, it was claimed, should constitute a week's work, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first five working days of tho week, overtime payments to be made at double rates. The following holidays, with no deduction of wages, were claimed: —Christmas Day to January 2 (both days inclusive); Anniversary Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Monday; Anzac Day, the King's Birthday Labour Day. For work done on Sundays, it was added, or any of the stipulated holidays, double time should be paid. As counter-proposals the employers asked that the award should apply only to workers engaged in manufacturing or repairing sports goods, hours of work to be provided as in the Factories Act. A minimum wage of 2s an hour was offered to male workers over the age of 21, with the provision that male and female workers under that age might be employed in accordance with the Factories Act. It was claimed also that overtime should be paid at rates governed by the Factories Act. Status ol Workers Mr. Anderson contended that although sports goods -workers were registered under the union they were in no way allied to the furniture trades. A union should be registered only to include workers in all branches of one industry, or in definitely related industries. The employers did rot wish to retard the proceedings, and the conditions and wages under the Factories Act in the case of juniors, which were liberal, were as much as the employers could afford. However, the employers were quite prepared to discuss ' the wages of adult male workers. Mr. Dixon: It is always like that. Whenever workers ask for anything the employers say the industry can't afford it. Discussing hours of work, Mr. An-derson-said the employers would agree to a 40-hour week in factories, on a five-days basis, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a 40-hour week in shops, on a five and a-half days basis, the hours of work to be spread between 8 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on four days of the week, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Fridays, and between 8 a.m. and noon on Saturdays. Question of Wages Mr. Dixon: We look upon Friday Slight work as overtime. Mr. Anderson: We can't agree to that. It is - necessary to have workmen available in shops when they are open. Referring to wages, Mr. Anderson said the employers were prepared to offer male workers 2s an hour on reaching the age of 21, 2s Id at the age of 22, and 2s 2d at the age of 23 and thereafter. In some establishments there were skilled men who would xmdoubtedly be able to get more than 2s 2d an hour. Wages for junior female operatives were proposed as follows: —First year, 15s to 19s a week; second year, £1 3s to £1 7s; third year. £1 lis to £1 15s; fourth year, £2, and then £2 5s thereafter. These rates would apply to boys also until they reached the age of 21. Following the luncheon adjournment Mr. Dixon suggested the award should be. short-dated, in view of the possible consideration of the formation of a separate organisation for sports goods workers. The union agreed to the tours proposed for factories, and to the honrs relating to shops, but was opposed to work on Friday nights unless overtime rates were paid. After further discussion it was that the term of the award should be one year. Neither side was prepared to a "Tee on the scale of payment for Friday night work and it was decided to refer, shop conditions to the Arbitration Court.