CONCILIATION BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11046, 25 February 1898, Page 2

CONCILIATION BOARD.

The statements filed with the Conciliation Boird in the dispute in the boot trsde read as follow;— '

THH! BOOTMAkRR^1 STAtBMENT.

].—(n) It is the individual right of the employer to decide who he shall employ or dismiss. (6) It U the individual rlcht of the workineu to accept or refuse work from any employer. 2. — Kmp'loy*rs flitll enipldy me-wbers of the New Ziuland. Federate i iJootiuakerx' Union in pr<:fe ence to non-members, provided there are members of the union who are equally qualified with a non-members to perform the particular work required to hi dniie, atid are ready and willing to undertake it. When non-members are employed there shall be no distinction between tli«! members and non-members ; b.jth shall work tdsother in harm my, and both shall work uadef the iame ciindit.ioaa and i-ec:iyd equal piy for equal work Any dispute nnd-sr this rule shall be decided by the ehHirmiiii of the'Oouciliation Board for the district uuder. the Industrial .Conciliation and Arbitration' Act j or, if U« shall ba unable or unwilling to act, then by some person jiomiriated by him, not being connected with the trade and not b-ing a manufacturer or employer in any trade. 3 —Th'Se rules and comiitions shall apply .to the i-lickiiig, bsnehing, finUhing; aiid michtuery departments.

4.-There shall be a General Board nl Conciliation (<i) consisting of Bix members of tho New Z-aland Boot Manufacturers'.Association'actively, engaged in manufacturing, and six mpmljerVot the Federated Boot Trade, must bear testimony examine wituess«s, and decide on the merits of the case ; saidmambeis Bhalt be electM iri Uctdber in each year, and shall serve for 12 months but shall be eligible for re-election. Tbree members from each side shall, form a quorum ; a majority of votes .shall ba final iri allciserf, but the vote of any ab-erit nit-mlier iuay be used by the side he represents. (6) The board shall elect a chairuuu outrside its members, who stiall not have either a deliberativeprcistiilg'vote. X.c) Iri crise of a tie vote the disputed question shall be submitted to the Board of Arbitration under the defy but this shMl not; nrevent tlie litatter being rsf <rred to t»riv,atc arbitration if both side 3 tniitually. agr^eto triis coiii-je, aud auy dwisions arrived at by the priv-iite arbitrators. shall be final and binding upoo all parties; and for this piirpoje the rules shall bi resistered as an industrLil agreement under " The Conciliation and Arbitration Aci, 1834 " (d) All expenses in connection with arbitration shall be borne'by the losing party, the proportion of expenses to be equal on both sides, but no expenses will be allowed to witnesses on either side.

r local Board of Conciliation shill be eatabliahei in each centre of six per.nna—three to ha mected by the eiupl ,yera and three by the employees,—all to be-actively engaged as manufacturers or ejov>lo.vee3 UmUr thti. sUtenlent. The said members shall serve far riot less than six months ; four to form a quorum, two from each side: the vote of any member absent to be exercised by the party-he represent*; The board to meet when r.-quired. 6.— (a) Pendiug the Sijchsjiorii and dsciaiin of any dispute between the partirts hereto, or any member of either organisation, there shall be no lock-out, strike, .stopoaga, or cessation, of . work .by either employer or. employed. (b) Work shall be continued at; the rates and conditions ruling at the time the dispute occurrfid until the ruling of the arbitrator*! has been received. ' 7.—Should a dispute arise that-requires immemate settlement (a) and upon .which the local boards cannot agree, to which it wan referred, each side shall submit their views in writing to the other local, boards, .whose decision by a majority snail be binding until, the next-Reuerat -hoard mealing, when the decision can 1» confirmed amended, or rescinded. (6) All complaints must be made in writing, and sent in at least three days prior to the meeting.of local-hoard, when the Secretary shall irumediatttly advise members of the.bu3ine3.i to be transaqted (c) In all disputes one fepre-iehtaMviv of the- employers- and one reprpsemative of the employees will be allowed, providing he is connected with the trade and a party to thy? agreement. Witnesses may be called; but all must retire while the board decide the, case.

B.—(<t) All general board decisions or arbitrators awards shall be printed and posted in each factory within 21 days from date of meeting x orawaid. (6) All local board decision^ siiall be forwarded to all,other local boM-da within 48 hours after meeting. "'.-'. 9—General boards may be summoned by request of half the numbers, on paying- a deposit of-£lO. The powers of; general boai-ds to be': (d) lo deal with all questions affecting the wages of workmen in the. above departments; (6i to alter the scale of pay of pieceworkers ; (c) to alter the amount of the mini.uuiu wage; (d) to alter the piecework system from time to time, as the devtfloptnent of the trade may demand ; (c) to fix new prices for piecework ;(/> to deal.with proportion of apprentices to joiirneylncu ; (g) to m:*ke an agreement for a period not exceeding thres years. . . - : , . ■

10.—Should a new class or method of work be introduced by any manufacturer, a sample shall be immediately submitted to the local' Board of t'oucili.itiou for the purpose of having a pries fixed, aud should the price so fixad be considered Satisfactory by a majority of members of the board1 it sh*ll be added to the statemsnt of prices and the price so fixed shall be piid to tha workluen for all work thafhaa beeii d^iie previous to the prica bein» fixed by. the .-local board, such price to remain in force until confirmed, amended or otherWUe by the Generarßoaiduf Conciliation, ■'. 11.—It is themannfacturer's.right to introduce whatever machinery he deems necessary or his business may require, if tv^{vision or subdivision cf labour is required fpr the purpose of workiue such machine' y; such division orfiubdiviaionahall ba allowed subjset *o.the myiiinum waje. . ' ~ 12.—Weekly hiuds may be employed in connection with machinery at such tends and in such manner a.i ra-iy bs dtcided; but no weekly hands shall be employe ! ojiofdufary Workfoi- whichpiecewnrk prices ha'vo been fixed. ■■ -■ : . 13.—li'or all purpoiesofthiiistatemeat the classification of uppers shall be decided by the vamp or golosh.- ..■■-....--. 14.—Employers SliSlt. find all,gfindsfy, work shops, light, Ac, aud serve oiit, ready for Use, all colours and material "used iii ednoe'etion with the trade. - , ■ ' ' , 15.—A1l- work on the statement shall be performed in the factory or workshops only, except when permits to work at home are granted to workmen for special reasons. The permit to be obtained from the local board. • . . WORKING HOURS. . The recognised regular hours of work shall be from 8 a.m. to ,6 p.m. ou five days of the Weak, and from 8 ahu. to 12 noon ou the recognised factory half-holiday, subject to 4S hours being con^idereil'a full week;; beyond this overtime rates must be piid: Should a public holiday intervene, the time lost through such h liday to be deducted from the ii hours, and not from the overtime SCILE OF MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGBS. Clicking wepartiiiunt. Is par hour; benching, £3 ppr week; finishing, £'i per week; maphinery £3 per week. . • overtime Overtime fo weekly wag! hands to ba paid at .therate of time and a-quartar. For pieceworkers 3d per^hour above statement prica. WAGES. ■ AU wages to be paid weokly. Instructor* for apprentices, £3 per week. (No inductor-shall be allowed to receivetany commission out of the earnings of the boys under his charge.) ■ Clickers, benchers, or finishers in charge of any machine, and filling up his time at his branch of the trade, £i 10s. Iv case of men in tha clicking depiirtoient who are not capable of commanding tha miniintfm wage, they miy refer their case to the local Board of Coriciliiitiou; who shall deal with it, and'owhose decision shall be.final. . : - A ■...'.,•-.- EMPLOYMENT OP APPItE.NTICES. (a) All Mppreutic-a. shall he indentured for a terniiof five yeirs.. \b) Should an employer, under the rules of this statement, be released front his obliff^tioh to his appreiitice'.it shall be allowable for the apprentice t->.m.ke an arrangement to complete his term with any employer working under this statement, and the employer, having his full complement cf apprenticss, shall not pre"vent him from making such agreement, subject to the approval of the local board. Eich apprentice may have~two months' tr!al at any branch of the trade previous to being indentured, but a second trial Will not be allowed in the same branch. The proportion of apprentices to journeymen in the several branches of the' trade shall be as follows :—Clicking department: Ona apprentice to every three men or fraction of fiist three. Benching, flrmtiihg; and machinery departments : Oheapprautice'ft) nix ilien or fraction of first nix. for the purpose of determining the proportion of apprentices to journeymen a given number of men must have been employed in any shop or factory for six months equal to two-thirds full time.

I he preceding rules'are not to interfere with the engagement* o f pressnt apprentices. Employers' sons shall not be restricted by any rules or regulations made under this statement. Ona foreman .■■hall be allowed in each department wnerc thraeor more operatives are employed. One general foreman may be, employed, but the general foreman .must not do any work of an operative, Sive pattern-cutting. No foreman shall be a member of the union. Foreman not to count under clause 5

The price of all extras shall apply to work as required to be added to tho boot before it leaves the hand of!the workman to whom it is given ; extras required after shall be subject to an advance of 25 per cent, upon the price fixed for that extra.

' No manufacturer shall give work to boys to complete that has in part been done by men.

THE EMPLOYKRSV STATEMENT. . 1.—(fl) It is the individual right of the employer to decide who'ha shall employ or dismiss. (6) It is the individual right of the workniau to accept or refuse work from any employer. 2. —Employers ahull not discriminate between members of the New Zealand Boot Trade Union and doN-members, When non-members are employed h Ah shall work together ia harmony, and both shall work uader the same conditions and receive yqual pay for equal work. Any dispute under this rule shall be decided by the chairman of the Conciliation Board for the district, under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act; or if he shall be unable or unwilling to act, then by 3omc persou mmiioated by him not buing connected with the trade, and not being a manufacturer <ir employed in any trade. 3.—These rules and conditions shall apply to the clicking, benching, finishing, nttd machinery departments*. 4,—(a) .Every employer is entitle.} to the fullest control over tha management of his factory, and to make such regulations ai he deems necessary for time-keoping and gopd order.,, (b) To, pay .either the recognise! piecework rate or weekly wages. (c) There shall be no restriction in the employment or wages of hands engaged by the week when the wages nre satisfactory to the employer ami employed, subject to the r> c ionised minimum, and any person shall be at liberty to arrange with his employer to work on the weekly wage system. (d) To introduc; machinery at any time without notice, and to divide or subdivide the labour in connection with'such machinery as maybe necessary. 5 (a) Rach manufacturer is to regula'e his or their working hou-R, but in no case slull a day's work exceed nine hour', subject to 4S hours being considers 1 \ full week, (b) All hours worked in <-xcc?x of ■I.S p !>■ \v«;k .■ihaH )>.: ni.'i-jsc-l ai overtime, and In- sml.junfc to I'urHior paynlent ai follows : — (I) Weekly Miigoa im-u ovm 4.S hnors per week, liniit'niiil a-.q-iorler:'(.'■) [lacott'-'i'kcrs Oier 13huurj l»ei- week, 3il pec ho-ur. "

[ 6.—The general board shall from time to time fix ' ' the minimum r'te of weekly wages in ths clickI ing, benching, fiuishinsr, and machinery departI lhents for 48 hours' work, according to the amount of skill required.for such work Iti the ina:-hine'ry department thcemployev to have reasonable tune tb ascertain the value of the work to bs performed in connection with such machinery, and be dt liberty to make any .condition, that may be accept, abl* to the operator and himself. Short time to be deducted at the same rate as paid., ~ . 7. —Employers shall find all jrrin'rtery, workshops, light, &<:., and serve out all colourß.antl materials required by them to be uaed. Alt <voik in connection with the clicking, benching, and /iuisHirjjf departments shall be done iiv the workshops. B.—(i) The principle of adjustment of wages by mutual .agreement shall apply to all work in connection with clickinef. benching, or finishing, whether such work is performed by hand or machirjs, aud minimum wage to be paid for any process or.operation, whether.p?rfQrmed by hand <^r machine, shall be on the bas,n of the skill required for such process- or operation. (6) No restriction Bhall be placed iipoti the output of any - machine, or with the method of working such" j machine. ' ' ' CONSTFTUTIO.V OF GENERAL BOARDS. (a) Tbe'ifc shall l)a-'a.General Board of Conciliation, h«ld in Christchurch in September in each I year; coin-ixtinx- of six members of the New Z-?a- i laud B: >ot Alinufaotufp.rs1 Association or their j manasors, and six employees working for members of the association, nominated by'the New ' Zealand Federated Boot Trade Association, who ! must hear! testimony, examine witnesses, and i deeid!; on the merits of the case.. Said members shall bs elected in Ocfobei" of earth year, and shall i serve-far 12 months and ba eligible for re-elsctioa: j . Should ahy manufacturer, elected a member of ] the, general b-iardj ceiis'e to be a membp.r of the j NewZjalaiid Bo it Manufacturers' Association, or. j a wiirkmiii leaves the employ .of an lissrjniafced j manufacturer during (.Heir term of office, it shall j be deemed a disqualification, and the vacancies so I cAused -shall be tilled within--25. days... Three I members' shall fhrm a quorum . A majority of j vbtea shall be final in all ctees, but the vote of I any absent member may be used by the side be ' represents. Either party may give une moath's I nofcics of its intention to be represented at a m^etitiffof 10 representatives in lieu of six. In such case the other patty, !iHhou»h it* repreaeritittion'H not iftcrea^ed, shall haVe lO.votes. (W The board shall olecfc a chairman outside of its number*, who shall not have.either a deliberat'v.tyqr casting votd. ..,„''

(e)'Jn case of a tie vote* the diqpntud question shall be siibmiHed to the Court of Arbitration under the. Cohciliatioa and Arbitration Act; but this shall hot prevent the.-mattev being reforred to privnts .arbitration, if both sides iimtualty agr'i*e to this couf.-ie, and. auy decision arrived at by the private arbitrators shall be final and binding on all parties.

(d) Decisions of iho boird shall be binding upoa all members of the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers' Association and all employees working for said manuficturerfi. ■■;> , •■ ■.--..-

(c.) All expanses in coonecli'on with arbitration shall be borne by--.the'; losing party/ The proportion of expenses'to baSqiistl ou'boSh sides, but no expenses will be allowed to witnesses. (f) Th^ board may lie siininibned by rsqucst of half its members 6t, pai'm'«int of a danositof £10. f POWEsS OF-GK.N'KHAI, BOvRDS. (a) To deal with ail qure-tions itffectiog the wase? of workmen in'the above department?. (ft) To alter the scale of pay for piaeS.worlwjfe. - (c) .To alter the amount of the minimum wage, j . (ii)'To alter.thrt piecewo'rk'gysteiri from time to i tinfe, ils the development df ■ the trade may5! demand. ■ , ' -. . |

M To fix new pi'ie'cs for piecework. (/■) If it is considered expedient to limit the proportion of apprentices to journeymen, such limitation ahallbe dealt with by the boards ' fo)-To make an agreement for' a period not exceeding three years.

CONSTITUTION OF PRIVATE ARBITRATION' BCHRD. Within 28 dayis after date of meeting of each alternate general board one arbitrator shall bS elected by the manufacturers anil ott« arbitrator by the workmen. Each side shall submit to the other the name of their arbitrator, addressed to the person* authorised by the general board to receive such "notice. The two arbitrators shall be requested to nlect au. ii'inpire, and the three persons shall then constitute the private arljitr«tioh board, and their decision on any questions referred to them for settlement shall be legal and. binding upon all pinies, and have the s\mi effect as an award under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. ~«:•'

The boiird shall hoid office for two years. CONS i-ITDTIOX OF LOCAL BOARDS. (a) A local bo »ni of conciliation shall be established'in Wellington, ■. Cliristehurcb, and J'Junedirti or in any other pluca that may be hereinafter mutually agreed upon, consisting of three members of the .New Zealand Boot Manufacturers'^ Association or their nominees, being members of the as.-ociatipn or their niana»ei\s, and-three employees working for the members of the association nominated by the local union. Four to form a quorum; The vote of any absent membor. may be used by the side he represents.... • ,-.-. ■ :

(6) The said members shall serve for not less than six months, unless disqualified from acting as a member of the board.

(c) The board shall meet When required, bnt not ofteiisr than Ouce a month.

. (d) Copies of all corrßspnndence shall be kept by' the secretary, and shall be produced at each board liieetiug. ,:■■..■

. (e> .»■ dispute arise thxt; requires an. jinmediato settlement, arid upon which the locr.l board to which it was referred to cannot agree,' each aide shall submit, their views: in writin" to the other.1 local boards, whose decision by a majority.shaill be binding until the next general board meeting, when the-decision can be confirineJ,, ameii.ied, or rescinded. Pending the daemon by th« majority of the local boards or a decision, of the g«neral board, the work iv dispute shall procee I .-under' such conditions and prices as- the manufacturer miy-decide, such' to be .readjusted, iv accordanca with the ultimata decision of the board.

(/)• All complaints must.be made in writing and sent in at least three days prior to the, meeting of the local b.'iard, when the secretary shall immediately'adv^e members of the1 busiaejs to be transacted. - ■■-..■.•. : •.-.-.• • ,i

Cq) In all disputes one: represeatritive of the employrtrs.and one representative of the employees will be allowel to state the c-ise under discussion., proviied that such representative is connected with the trade and is party to this agreement. Witnesses may be called.bnt all must retire while the board decide the. case. ' \ (h.) Should a new class or method of work be introduced by any mauilfaoturer for which no provision has b&iia i'nade. for piecework, and for Which piecework prices are required by the manufacturer, asample shall be irnnieiliately submitted to the local Bnitrd <d i.Jonciliation for the purpose ot hayiiig a price ff^e.l,' and should the'price sn fixed bh -.onsidored Satisf.' -;tory'by a majority of the mumbers of the board.it shall be added totrw s'atempnt of prices, and the local b.i-ird shall have po.iver t.> fix ihe pries pending its confirmation or alteration by'theg-Mral board. The price fixed for the new cla-<s of work by the locU board shall take effect as fr.»iu the'idiitij on which the s.impli was rffrffre.i to the fioard. (a) All general board decisions or arbitration awards shall be printed j and. posted in each associated factory within twenty-one days from date of meeting or award. (6) Ail local board decisions shall be forwarded to i all other local boards within forty-eight hours after I meeting. . '■ POWERS OP LOCXL BOARDS. To deal with any breach of the statement properly reported by either site to have been made. '''o arrange all matters fcßtiug to wages not already provided for by tha general board. | (ft) Pending the d,iscii«sioii. and decision of any difference or dispute b'twesn the parties hereto or any members of an organisation, there 3 fa*H be | no lt>ckout, strike; »topp*Ke; or cessation of work by either employer or employed. (6) Work shall he, continued at tha rales and conditions ruling at the ti*u« the dispute, occurred^ until ,the ruling' of th% arbitrators h*s bsen re-' ceived. ' j The' general; wagesof the scatemeit cap. only be altered at the aunuitl meeting of the general board, and either siie wishing to Ktfect an alteration . nruat give notice in writing not later than July IS, setting forth as fully as possible the, details of tha pj-opose.d alteration. ( , . MINIMUM WEKKI.Y WAGE, |. Clickers, benchers, iiuishers,' 4'ls. Anj"per«ons workifiß in auy of the departments governed by the.minimum wage who are not capible of commanding the wage May refer their case to th« local Board d{ Conciliation, who i shall deal With it, and whose decisiens shall be final. ' . '