THE CARTERS' DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14683, 17 November 1909, Page 3

THE CARTERS' DISPUTE

ARGUED BEFORE CONCILIATION COMMISSIONER. .The industrial dispute between the Dunedin and Suburban Industrial Union of Workers' and the Diincdin and Suburban General Carriers and Coal Merchants' Industrial .Union of Employers -was brought before Mr J. R. Triggs, Conciliation Commissioner, yesterday' morning at the Law Courts. Messrs J. Clilfoid (president), J. Hjymos (secretary), and \V. Richardson represented the .workers, and ■ Messrs M Stevenson, Spencer, and Maclie the employers. Mr Owen was also present on behalf of the Now Zealand Express Company- | The demands filed by the workers were taken clause by clause and considered by tho council. Each was discussed at great length, and the council had not concluded its deliberations when- it rose at 5 p.m.

.The following clauses were agreed to up to the time of adjournment:—

Rates of Wages.

Except where otherwise provided for in these conditions, competent carters in constant employment shall be paid the following minimum weekly wages:—For those driving and attending a single horse- where a 6tableman is kept, the minimum weekly wage of £2 ss; for those, driving and attending two horses, the minimum weekly wage of £2 7s; for those driving and attending a single horse where a stableman is not kept, the minimum weekly wage shall bo £2 4s; for ohose attending and driving two horses where no stableman is kept, the minimum weekly wage shall be £2 Bs.

Where drivers am employed. on such tonus that time lost by them 'ill consequence of their not working by reason of bad or wet weather or holidays, is deducted from their wages, the minimum rate of wages to be paid to such drivers shall be as follows:—For those driving or attending a single horse where a 6tableman is kept, £2 5s per week; for those driving and attending two horses where a stableniDHi is kept, £2 9s; for those driving and attending a single horse whero no stableman is kept, £2'6s per week; for those, driving and attending two horses where no stableman is kept, £2 10s per week. Drivers engaged utactef this clause may work on wet days if they desire to do so, provided the work can be carried on. Carters' Duties. Where a stableman is kept the carters' duties, in addition to ordinary driving, shall be as follows:—Mornings, clean out stalls, groom horse or horses, and clean hnrwjss; evenings, groom horse'or horses and bed down.

Overtime

Overtime shall be paid, at the rate of Is 3d per hour for time worked beyond the hours prescribed in the clause referring to the hours of labour. Where a man is required to work between the hours .of 10.30 p.m. and 4 a.m. overtime shall be paid at the rate of 2s per hour. (This clause was agreed to by the council, but,' pending the Now Zealand Express Company agreeing to it, has mot yet been formally adopted.) Casual Labour.

Casual labour shall be paid at the rate of Is pet- hour for a man driving and attending, to one horse, and 1 at the rate of Is ljd per hour for a man driving and attending to two horses. Overtime shall be paid at the rate o[ Is 3d per hour, and shall commence after lOi hours' work for any one day. In tho case of casual drivers,' ■ the w'tiole time worked, including time attending to horses, is computed as time or overtime as the ease may be. A man shall be deemed to be a casual driver who is not. employed continuously for more than one week. For work done on Sundays, Christmas Day, or Good' Friday a casual driver shall be paid 2s 6d per hour, save for time attending to horses, which shall bo paid for at ordinary rates.

Under-rate Men,

. (a) Any worker who- consider himself by reason of old age, infirmity, physical weakness, or other cause incapable of earning the minimum wage may be paid such lower rate of wages,as may from time to time be fixed, cu the application of the employ;*, alter 24 hour.-' notice to the union by the inspector of factories, and such inspector in so fixing such amount shall have regard to the worker's capability, his past earnings, and such ether circumstances as such inspector may think lit to consider aiftei hearing such evidence and argument as the union and employee shall offer, (b) Whenever occasion arises for so fixing an employee's wage it shall be fixed for such period not oxeecding six months, as such inspector shall determine; provided that in the case of any person whose wage is so fixed, by rereop of old age or permanent disability, it may be fixed for such longer period as such inspector shall think fit. (c) It shall, notwithstanding tho foregoing, be competent for an employer to agree with tlio president or secretary of the union upon such wago without having the same so fixed, (d) It shall bo the duty of the union to give notice to the inspector of factories of every agreemnnt made with an employee pursuant hereto, (b) It shall be the duty of an employer b?i£or employing a man at such lower waigo

to examine- the permit or agreemnt by which such wage is fixed. Employment of Youths. Employers afo at liberty to employ youths above the ags of 18 years according to the following scale:—From 18 to 19, at 253 per week; from 19 to 20 yoare, at 30s per week; from 20 to 21 years, 35s per week;' ovct 21 at f 'ull wages, u-nk-;B held to come'under the provisions of this award .relating to under-rate. workmen. The number of youths so employed shall not exceed one to each employer, firm, or company employing one driver, and one to each complete four additional drivers. The minimum weekly wa'ge nrcscribed sha.ll be deemed to extend to and includo attendance to horses on Sundays, week days, and holidays. The following shall be the recognised holidays: -Ist January, 2nd January, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Empire Day or Prince of Walft, Birthday, Labour Day, King's Birthday (or any other day proclaimed bv the Mayor' in lieu thereof). Christmas Day. and Boxing Day. When a-av lisliday Wis on Sunday, tho following day shall be observed, and the provisions of this award shall apply thereto. REMAINING CLAUSES. Tho following clauses, from the workers' order of reference, have yet to lie dealt with:— . ~ So long as the rules of the union permit auv ncrsoii .if good character and sober habits and a competent driver to hi come a member on payment of an entrance fee not exceeding 5s 'upon bis written application, without ballot or other u.ecticn, and so to continue upon contributing subscriptions not exceeding 6d per week, the employers shall employ members of tho union in preference to non-members, provided that there arc members equally qualified to perform the particular work required to be done. Nothing in this clause shall apply to casual drivers. The union shall keep an employment book at die Trades Hall, Dtmedin, particulars of which shall be advertised in the Otago Daily Times and Evening Star. All wages, including overtime, shall be paid weekly, on a day to be (rem time to time Used in advance by the employer. _

In the case of men other than casual hands a week's notice of dismissal or of resignation shall be given by the cmnlayer or employee, bat thi= shall ii"t picvent the employer from dismissing any employee for good cau.se. An employer may enter into an agreement with the driver to provide him with suitable board and lodgim; and to deJucr the price thereof from his wages at a rate not exceeding 15s par week. Employers shall be at liberty to ".ate special airangeineiits as to hour= 'it labour, wages, and other conditions with dm ere attending early or late trains and'steamers. Similarly, employers may make special arrangements with drivers employed in town and suburban parcels delivery. Should anv matter arise during the curr.'iicv of this award which has no; ken provided for, such matter of dispute shall be arranged tct'vreen the en'filoye.r and' the oMirnu.il or secretary ot the workers' union, and in default of agreement between them, then by tli2 Insp.jci.ir of lactones.

This award shall apply to ompinyer» earrving on business within a radius of 15 miles from the Chbl I'osl Olbe in the City of Dunedin. The council will sit again ,ti 9 o'clock this morning. It is expected tiiat- a satisfactory settlement of the .U'.-mi'c «■',! lia\e / been arrived at before nii'J-ky.