LAUNCH ENGINEERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 14

LAUNCH ENGINEERS

CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS NO FINALITY REACHED No finality was reached yesterday in the Conciliation Council dispute between the Auckland Certified Engine Drivers, llivcr Engineers and Marine Engine Drivers' Union and the employers. The conciliation commissioner, Mr. IL E- Price, presided. No settlement could bo reached on hours and wages. Assessors for the employees were Mi ;ssrs. J. Clark, R. K. McGregor, E. B. Howe and W. Dyson, while those for the employers were Messrs. W. E. Anderson, 1). E Bradney, J. L. Hanna, E. G. Winstone and Captain A. J. Pearce. The workers asked for a week of 40 hours with a maximum of eight hours a working day. A claim was made for ordinary overtime at time and a-half, for the first two hours and double time thereafter. Double rates also were sought for work on Sundays and statutory holidays. Other claims included a minimum wage of £'6 10s a week and a fortnight s holiday every year on full pay. It was agreed that the award shoidd apply only to workers in charge of the propelling engines on launches, tug boats and scows trading within extended river limits as defined by the Shipping and Seamen's Act, and that the usual preference clause' be inserted, provision being made, as in the past, for the submission of any disputes to a committee. . The employers' counter-claims were in two sections for hours of work. It was asked that in the case of (a) tow boats towing shingle, sand and firewood barges, and (b) scows, the hours should bo fixed by mutual arrangements between both parties. For other tow boats and launches it was proposed that hours shoidd not exceed 200 a month. The number of hours worked in any day should be fixed,by the employer, and each worker should bo allowed four days off in each month. The employers', representatives indicated that they could not agree to the employees' demands in regard to wages and the proceedings were adjourned sine die.