PRINTING TRADES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22822, 1 September 1937, Page 15

PRINTING TRADES

CLAIM FOR NEW AWARD CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Tuesday Tho industrial dispute between the New Zealand Printing and Related Trades' Industrial Association of Workers (applicants) and the New Zealand Master Printers' Industrial Association of Employers and the New Zealand Federated Newspaper Proprietors' Industrial Association of Employers (respondents) came before the Conciliation Council to-day. Mr. M. J. Reardon presided as commissioner* Mr. K. Baxter, agent for the workers, said there was ample justification for the improvement of conditions by the employers on the ground of improved prices for primary commodities overseas. As the result of the failure to achieve the 40-liour week n year ago workers in the printing trades had been thrown out of their relative position with employees in other industries.

Mr. E. W. Clarkson, the employers' agent, said definite evidence was now available that the reduction of hours, the increase in wages and tho simultaneous advance in the cost of materials, supplies and services, due in a large measure to external circumstances, had seriously embarrassed the industry. Briefly, any increase in turnover attributable to the general expansion of commercial activity had been offset largely, and in many cases entirely, by the increase in wages alone

Discussion of the claims and counterclaims was confined to tho typographical section. The workers asked for a 40-hour week for day workers and a- 38hour week for night workers, for whom £'] a week over the payment for day workers, with 10s a week for juniors, was also asked.

The cm plover? offered a 42-hour week for typographical workers except those in the linotype mechanics' department, where the hours offered were 44 for day workers and 42 for night workers. Consideration was given throughout the day to the question of hours and overtime, and agreement was readied on a number of minor points. The council adjourned until to-morrow morning.