PRIVATE HOTELS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8733, 15 May 1914, Page 8

PRIVATE HOTELS

THE SIX-DAY WEEK

DISPUTE BEFORE CONCILIATION

COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Conciliation Council, presided over by the Conciliation Commissioner (Air P. Hally) was held yesterday in connection with the dispute between 'the AVellington District Hotel, Club, and Restaurant Workers' Union, and the Wellington private hofcel-keepers, oyster saloon and restaurant and refreshment room proprietors. The assessors for the employers were Alessrs R. E. Howell, W. Young, W. H. Bird, F. Godber, J. S. Oliver and H. Brice, while Alessrs G. Thornton, H. O’Alalley and E. J. Carey wore assessors for tho union. Air W. A. Grenfell appeared as agent for the employers and Air E. Kennedy for the employees. The workers demanded improved conditions and increased wages, tho details of which have already been published. In connection with wages, it was claimed that female employees should be paid three-quarters of the wage for men, save where otherwise specified. One of the most important claims was that relating to holidays, as follows;—Six-day houses—One haltday’s holiday from 2 p.m. on some one working day of the week, and in addition, all day Sunday shall be allowed to each worker employed in any establishment under this award which opens for business on six days only in each week. Seven-day hoites —One full day’s holiday of twentyfour hours, commencing from 'he time a worker usually starts work <n any one day shall be allowed to each worker in every establishment under this award which opens for business on each day of every week. Air Kennedy opened the case for the men, and insisted that conditions had changed since tho last award was mad© three years ago. A slight increase in wages was asked for, and this charge would probably he 'passed on to the public, as had been done in the case of the licensed houses. It would be an act of grace for tho employers to grant a six-day week without being forced to do so by the court.

Mr Grenfell stated, on behalf of the employers, that they by no means approved of that concession. Some discussion ensued as to whether the preference granted in Wellington to unionists w-as , effective or not.

Mr Grenfell said that he could not place his finger on any .alterations in the conditions of the industries concerned. There was a big difference between licensed hotels and private hotels. In view of the-fact that the dispute had been a long time before the court, and that the present award had worked amicably for three years, the employers did not see any necessity for altering the provisions of the award.

Mr Carey: “ I could have got an agreement covering nearly all the private hotels, oyster saloon, and sixpenny restaurants by merely going round amongst them.” The council then went into committee. and after an hour’s dismission adjourned until 2 o’clock this afternoon.