AWARD BREACHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22512, 1 September 1936, Page 17

AWARD BREACHES

FIRMS PROSECUTED JUDGMENT FOR DEPARTMENT Breaches of awards were alleged against several firms in actions brought by the Department of Labour in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M. In an action against Bycroft's, Limited, for., JSIr.. Terry., appeared,. Mr. Grieve, for the department', "said the firm had employed a number of youths who were entitled to higher wages a3 they became older. Toward, the end of tho depression they did not get the increases, the amount of £270 being short paid, although the company subsequently paid £B4 13s, Id, representing the amount accrued in the six months prior to the inspection. "These youths; were taken on at the depression period," said Mr. Terry. The four youths and their parents were very anxious that they should be retained in the hope of better employment as positions became available. The award was very old, having been registered in 1921. Had there been any demand for a strict interpretation of the award, the company could have sought a new award at much lower rates than those actually paid. The employees did not complain %nd were not parties to the prosecution. Judgment was given for the department for £7 10s and costs. Claims that Cooke's Ritz, Limited (Mr. Singer), had failed to allow meal money during holidays and that kitchen hands were underpaid were made by Mr. Price, who appeared for tho department. Mr. Price said the award provided that meals were to be provided in addition to wages, but during a holiday period the firm had not paid the equivalent in cash. Tho firm also was charged with failing to pay full wages to kitchen-hands, who were described by the firm dispensers and paid the wage for pantry-maids, which was 3s 3d a week below that for kitchenhands. Judgment was entered for the department for £2 on each charge. Stating that some bakers did not adhere to the holidays fixed, Mr. Grieve brought an action against Andrew Carmichael and Henry Forbes, trading as the Log Cabin Bakery, Great North Road, Grey Lynn. Under the last award holidays were fixed, he said, and all firms except defendants a,bided faithfully by it. 'They employed two men to bake and deliver bread on the King's Birthday holiday. Judgment was given for £1 10s. For failing to register contracts of apprenticeship, judgment for £1 was entered against Walter James O'Connell, Albert Street, and g. Brunton Brothers, Northcote.