WOOL STOREMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 18

WOOL STOREMEN

NEW AWABD MADE WAGES RETROSPECTIVE 40-HOUR WORKING WEEK COURT'S MAJORITY DECISION A wool, grain, hides and manure stores employees' award covering the whole of the Dominion except Canterbury and Westland was issued by tho Second Court of Arbitration yesterday. Because the terms of this award had uot been issued earlier 400 wool store workers stopped work at Napier about 10 days ago, but afterwards resumed pending its issue. The wages clause of the new award is to take effect as from January 1. The dispute was heard at Auckland 011 December 2 and 3. In an attached memorandum Mr. Justice Hunter states that owing to extreme pressure of work, and other circumstances over which the Court had no control, it was impossible to avoid tho delay which occurred in making the award. The Court had given very careful consideration ta the question whether the award as regards wages should be retrospective, and, if so, to what date, and it had decided that tho award should be retrospective to January 1, 1938. Hot and Cold Showers

"Tho principal matters in dispute were hours and wages," His Honor said. "In regard to hours, the Court has fixed the ordinary working week at 40 hours, from Monday to Friday inclusive, with tho right to tho employers to require the workers to work up to four hours on Saturday mornings at ordinary rates. "The Court, has not been unanimous respecting a number of the matters contained in tho award, which therefore represents tho decision of a majority of the Court, Mr. Croskery having withdrawn his objections in order that an award may be made. "Owing to the nature of the work, the Court is of the opinion that hot and cold showers should be provided for the workers. However, the Court has not made provision in the award for showers, because it believes there is no provision in many stores for heating tho quantity of water which would be required, and, furthermore, space for such facilities cannot bo spared. The Court nevertheless recommends that hot and cold showers bo provided wherever practicable." Rates of Payment

The rate fixed for casual workers is not less than 2s 5d an hour, and for permanent hands not less, than £4 12s 6d a week. An extra 3d an hour is to be paid for mixing manures or bagging them by hand, and extra rates* are also provided for other classes of work. Overtinio is to be paid at the rate of time and a-half for the first foui» hours and double time thereafter.

Head storemen are to be paid 10s a week extra if in charge of from two to five men and £1 a week extra if in charge of more than five men. All workers after 12 months' continuous service arc to be granted one week's holiday on full pay. Wage rates for youths are fixed at £1 5s for those under 17, rising to £3 2s 6d for those from 20 to 21 years of age. The proportion of youths is to be not more than one to every four adult workers. No worker is to be required to carry bagged goods exceeding 2001b. in weight, and no junior 'under 18 shall be required to carry any weight over 751b.

The award is to remain in force until the end of this year. The clauses other than the wages clauses came into force yesterday.