ELECTRICAL WORKERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7851, 13 July 1911, Page 5

ELECTRIC AL WORKERS

NEW SET OP DEMANDS. Tli© demands for a new award mad© by the Wellington Electrical Workers’ Union have now been filed. The list of employers cited includes the City Corporation, the Harbour Board, a number of the hotels, newspaper offices, picture show proprietors and theatres. It is claimed that competent electricians shall be paid not less than Is 8d per hour, and competent linesmen not less than Is Cd per hour; also that ail wages shall be paid weekly, on Fridays, either on .the job or at the employer's place of business; but wherever paid they shall be paid to the workman during working hours. Thee© are to be, if the union succeeds in its demands, from 8 a.m. to 12 (noon), and from 12.45' p.m. to 5 p.m., on five days of the week, and from S a.m. to 11.45 a.m. on Saturdays. An overtime rate of time and a half is asked, and there is a claim for double pay for work done between the hours of 10 pan. and 7,30 a.m. Double time is also asked for work done on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Christmas Day, Sundays and the Birthday of the Sovereign. The union claims that the proportion of apprentices shall be one to each journeyman, and -that the following shall be the minimum rate of wages:—For the vear, IQs per week; for the second year,” 15s per week; for the third year, 30s per week; for the fourth year, £2 per week, In connection with private installations there is a clause in the demands which says: "Ail journeymen employed running plants, whether direct current or alternating, and exceeding 5-horse power, either for lighting or power work, shall be included in this award." There is also a provision for the employment of under-rate workmen, a claim for* preference and a demand for the abolition of piecework.