* CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16547, 22 November 1915, Page 7

* CONCILIATION COUNCIL

HAIRDRESSERS' ASSISTANTS' DISPUTE, INCREASED WAGES AND REDUCED HOURS GRANTED. Mr J. R. Triggs presided at a meeting of the 'Conciliation Council on Friday to hear the claim of the Otago Hairdressers' Assistants' Union for a number of alterations in the existing award. The representatives of the employers were Messrs G. M. Moody, F. E. Hilliker, and J. T. Cunningham, and- of the employes Messrs W. J. Thompson, J. G. Forster, and T. Potter. The Commissioner read a letter from the employers "stating that they could not agree to the demands made by the workers. The assistants asked for a 50-hour working week, the day's work to cease not later than 6.30 p.m. on three days, not later than 6 p.m. on one day, not later than 1 p.m. on the half-holiday, not later than 9 p.m. on the late night, and not later than 9.30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New\Year's Eve. They also asked for a minimum wage of £3 per week. Under the existing award there is a 52hour •week, work ceasing at 8 p.m. on three days, 6 p.m. on one day, 1 p.m. on the half-holiday, 9.15 p.m. on Friday, and 10.30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The minimum wage is £2 15s. The Commissioner said this was a rather unfortunate time to ask for an increase, in wages. The business must suffer during the war, just as .other businesses were suffering. When one considered the number of young men leaving the dominion it must be ad.mitted there was a serious decrease in the business, and it seemed to him this was not an opportune time, especially in this business, to make further demands. He supposed the employers had fully made up their minds. . , Mr Hilliker said they had. He added that the employers wrote to the Employees' Union in August, stating that it would be inadvisable and disastrous to make any further restrictions in the present working conditions. The Commissioner said he always tried to get an increase in wages where possible; but in this case he could not so wholeheartedly support the men's claims as he could in some other cases. Mr Forster said the men's main trouble was not really an increase of wages but a shortening of tho hours'of work. In some other towns hairdressers closed at 6 o'clock. Timaru closed at 6 and Invercargill at 7. Mr Hilliker: They are email towns. Mr Forster contended that it was still pos-. sible for the Dunedin shops to close at 6. The Commissioner said he thought the hours of closing could be made easier for the men. The hairdressers' assistants were at work when the assistants in other businesses were out. At the same, time he recognised there was a difficulty of closing earlier. Mr Potter said the employers seemed to be very frightened of each other. It was the smaller shops that were doifig the " squeaking." Last winter the shops closed at 7, and the arrangement worked well, but one or two employers drifted away, and tho thinor fell through. At present "two large employers in the city closcd at 6 and another at 7. On the advice of the Commissioners tho employers' representatives had a private conference. As a result, the employers agreed to reduce the total hours per week to 50 and to increase the minumum wage to £3 per week, the other conditions in the old award to remain as at present. The employers' representatives were informed of this decision, and held a private conference to discuss it. ' , When the parties were again brought together, the Coram:ssionei' advised the employees to accept the offer. If they did so thoy would have done a good morning's work—an increase of 5s and shorter hours. It meant a lot in these times. He was sure the court would not give any better conditions. After a discussion the employes' representatives agreed to accept the offer made by tho employers. The altered conditions will come into force on December 1, and remain in operation for two years. Mr Hilliker proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Triggs for presiding and bringing the dispute to a successful termination. He hoped the now conditions would work well and suit all in the business. Mr Thompson seconded the motion, which was carried. Tho Commissioner thanked the assessors for their kind expressions.