LABOUR MATTERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18293, 9 July 1921, Page 13

LABOUR MATTERS

AVOOL-CLASSEHS’ DEMANDS. The following arc the principal demands made by tho wooi-chisFcrs in regard to rates of pay aml conditions governing their employment: — Hates of Pay.—The minimum rates of pay for wool-classors shall he: No. of shearers Payment per ICttO. cnmloycd. Sheep. Lambs. s. d. ?. d. 1(1 r.ud' under 35 0 30 0 Over 10 and under 15 .. •• 32 - B 27 6 15 and over 30 0 25 0 Where payment is made by the week the minimum rates shall be as follow: Total number of sheep Payment and lambs shorn. pc r week. £ s. d. Under G 10 0 8000 In 10,000 TOO 10,000 to 12.000 7uo

AVlicn engaged at the weekly rate, payment to start from the tune tho classcr is instructed to be and arrives at the station. Combined Duties.—No classer shall lake the management of the board in addition to classing in any sbed where more than 10 shearers are employed at anyone time, and no classcr shall act as wool-roller in. addition to classing where more than seven shearers are employed at any one time. AVhoro a classer undertakes combined duties ho shall bo paid the following weekly mintmum rates in addition to his classing rates (weekly or per 1000, ns the case may be); No. of shearers "Weekly rates for employed combined duties. f s.d. 8 and tinder 15 0 0 to 12 3 0 0 13 to 16 3 5 0

AA'hero employed in combined duties, payment in respect of tbs duties other than classing shall be made as from tho commencement of such other duties.

AVhtro a classcr acts as wool-roller in addition to classing, ho shall be paid the cinsser’s rates as fixed by this award, in addition to tiio wool-roller's rates as fixed by tho shearing award; but the extra rate for combined duties in this award shall not apply to such classer.

Travelling Expenses.—A wool-classc-r travelling to any shell for the purpose of classing wool for any employer in New Zealand shall be allowed by such employer an amount sufficient to cover his rail, steamer, or coach fnro from his place of engagement nr from, tho place where tho wnol-classor may reside permanently, whichever is tho shorter distance, to tho place of employment, unless and except the w*ool-classcr may bo proceeding direct from an engagement at one shed to" another shed as wool-classer, in whicli case tho travelling fare from shed to shod shall Ire allowed by tho employer at the second shed : Provided That the above provision shall not prevent any mutual arrangement as to sharing expenses lieing agreed to by employers. When the classer is about to return from any shed to his place of engagement or to where lie may reside permanently as aforesaid. he shall state this in writing to tno employer or his representative immediately before leaving such shed, and ehall then bo allowed his fare to such ple.ee of engagement or permanent residence, provided that if he do not so return lie- shall immediately refund such faro to th© employer. , A misstatement. by tho wool-classer or failure immediately to refund money shall constitute a breach of this award.

When travelling by railway or steamer, first-class fares shall be allowed.

daggers travelling to or fr-m c.ny shod under agreement shall, excepting when travelling by steamer, be a I lowed, in addition tofares, 12a 6d per day to cover wages, meals, accommodation, etc., while travelling to and from such shed.

In cases where the clr.ssor is discharged for' incompcteney or misconduct no return fare or allowances shall be paid or allowed. Allowances for Delays.—ln the event of any employer failing to start shearing on the day fixed by the contract made by the classer be shall, provided the classer is on the station and ready to start on the day fixed, pay him for tbe time he is kept idle (unless such failure !o start is caused by wet weather or oilier nnforcstcn cause—unforeseen cause to mean fire. flf*)d, earthquake, or any other act oi floci) the following rates; Xo of shearers Delay rote employed per day. Under It) las Od 10 to 20 17s Cd 20 to 25 20s Od Over Hi 22s lid

The allowance, set forth in (his c'anse shall bo in full satisfaction of all claims by the employee arising out oi such failure to start on the part of the employer. Stoppage of Shearing.—ln case of cessation of work through strikes or other unforeseen circumstances, tho agreement between the classer and his employer may be terminated at any time by mutual consent, or where tho cessation has lasted tor mare than one full working week by either parly forthwith. Accommodation. —The- employed shall supply (he classer with suitable hoard end lodging free of charge, and the employer shall have the option -if providing board and lodging at the homestead or elsewhere, and shall not bo bound to include the classer in (he shearers’ and shed hands’ mess; the sleeping and dining apartments to ho separate and detached from the sleeping and dining apartment a of the shearers and shed hands. Ho shall also provide all reasonable appointments, including lighting, bed, blankets, bedding. towels, etc., and chairs, crockery, cnauielware or eartheiiwaie, etc., for tablo and washing utensils.

FARM WORKERS’ DEMANDS. The following are the proposed demands by farm and station, hands: Wages.—The following shall be the minimum rate of wages payable to all station or farm hands: —Married couples on stations, £2OO a year and found; station cooks, XT 10s per week and found; female cooks, £2 10s per week and found. Where fernal? cocks are cooking for more than seven men they shall be paid the aamo wages as mule cooks. Shepherds shall be paid £1 per week and found. Where the employee finds horse, saddle, and dogs he shall receive 10s per week in addition, and shall b? allowed free run for his horses and ba provided with snilabla food and kennels for his dogs. Shepherds shall bo paid mustcrers’ wages when called on to do mustering. All general hands shall receive £3 10s per week and found. Casual Workers.—Lamb markers, fencers, ditchers, pick and shovel workers, grubbers, scrub cutlers, and all casual labour, 2s per hour and found. Harvest Hands.—All harvest hands shall receive not loss than 2s per hour and found, and shall be paid from their quarters to their work. Every employee shall bo allowed tho faro actually paid from the place of engagement to the farm cr station, and shall bo allowed his returned fare at the completion ot his duties. ■ Farm Hands. —Wagonqrs and drivers of tractors shall bo paid not less than £4 per week and found, i'loughmen, £3 per week and found. Drivers of reapers and binders, XT per day and found. A stable allowance of Bs per week shall be allowed for two horses, and 10s per week for more than two where the employee feeds and grooms his own horses. Chaffcullers. —Men employed ns chaffcutters, the engine-driver and stccrer, shall ho paid tho same wages as those provided in the claims drawn up for thrashing mill workers. (1 ai doners.— Gardeners shall be brought under the conditions of the gardeners’ award. Potato Diggers—Potato diggers, onion pullers and snippers, shall bo paid 2s per hour and found. , , Accommodation.—Every employee shall he provided with accommodation free of charge in conformity with the Agricultural Workers’ Accommodation Act except in cases where the workc* camps away irom tho homestead on intermittent work. In such' caeca reasonable suitable accommodation such as tents may lie provided. . , , , Pood. —Where rations are to be provided try the employer, sufficient food of good quality shall be supplied to tho workers, and shall include jam, pickles, sauces, green vegetables twice weekly, juid not less than 2!b of butter per week for each worker. Youths. — Not mere than one youth, or, in th.w alternative, one cadet,-shall he employed to cverv three adult workers receiving the award wages.