CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20318, 28 January 1928, Page 4

CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

THEATRICAL WORKERS. The Conciliation Commissioner (Mr W. H. Hagger) held a sitting yesterday morning to hear a dispute between Messrs John Fuller and Sons, Ltd., the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd., Thomas A. O’Brien, the Picture Theatres, Ltd., and the Dunedin Theatrical and Shows Employees (other than stage hands) Industrial Union of Workers. , It was also asked that the employees of the following theatres be made party to the proceedings : —Green Island, Mosgiel, “ Our Allies,” and Roslyn picture entertainments. Mr A. S. Cookson represented the applicants, and Mr J. Robinson the respondents. The applicants assessors were Messrs J. Hamer, W. G. Dallas, and J. L. Johnston. The statement of claim included a discussion on the hours of work, wages, holidays, casual work, overtime, and Sunday work for operators, ticket sellers, ticket takers, ushers, and caretakers. Mr Robinson said that an agreement was fixed for a term of 12 months with the object of allowing the awards to expire at that time for the purpose of securing a New Zealand agreement. It was desired that the hearing be adjourned pending a. Dominion dispute. A dispute had been filed, but the date for the hearing had not yet been fixed. Mr Cookson said that the conditions varied in the different centres. For Instance, there was no comparison. between the work undertaken in Dunedin and Wellington. In the latter centre the various shows were open continuously from 10 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. It was difficult, therefore, to make an award to suit the varying conditions. There was a brief discussion, and it was then decided that the dispute be referred to the Arbitration Court. No recommendation was made.