CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23005, 7 October 1936, Page 5

CONCILIATION COUNCIL

QUARRY WORKERS' CLAIMS NO SETTLEMENT REACHED The hearing of the industrial dispute between the Otago and Southland General Labourers, Builders* Labourers, Quarrymen, and Coal Yard Employees' Industrial Union of Workers and employers in both provinces was continued in the. Conciliation Council yesterday morning, when the claims of the quarrymen and the counter proposals of the employers were fully discussed. The commissioner (Mr S. Ritchie) presided, and there were present as assessors:—Employers—Messrs R. A. Palmer, H. S. Bingham, and S. P. Shiel: applicants—Messrs W. G. Cocking, A. B. Powell, and R. Harrison. The applicants claimed, inter alia, that a week's work should not exceed 40 hours, all work in excess of that to

be counted as overtime and paid for at the rate of "double time till the ordinary time for commencing work next morning, if worked continuously. The minimum rates for workers engaged in that which relates to quarry work to befc Foreman of the quarry, not less than £6; all other employees, not less than £5 10s a week. Workmen to be entitled to nine statutory holidays on full pay, in addition to two weeks a year, to be granted during the summer season. Where reasonably necessary accommodation and sanitary accommodation to be provided by the employer and a modern first-aid case, fully equipped, to be kept by the employer in a convenient and accessible place; and one of the workers to hold a certificate of qualification in firstaid. No one under the age of 18 years to be allowed near the face of the quarry. All wages to be paid weekly on Fridays. Time lost through wet weather and through no fault of the employee not to be made up and to be paid for in full as if work had been performed for the whole of the time declared wet by two-thirds of the men employed. Men compelled to work in bad or wet plaees to be paid 6d an hour in addition to the ordinary rate of pay. The employers did not admit the claims of the applicants, and submitted, inter alia, the following proposals:—A week's work to consist of 48 hours, all work done in excess of that to be counted as overtime and paid for at the rate of time and a-half for the first three hours and double time thereafter until the ordinary time for commencing work next morning, if worked continuously. Time and a-half to be paid for all time worked on New Year's Day. Easter Monday.

Labour Day, and Boxing Day, and double time to be paid tor all time worked on Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Sundays. Time worked on Saturday afternoon to be paid for at the rate of time and a-half. The minimum wages to be as follows: —Workers employed in squaring stone, getting out pitchers, building stone, kerbstone, and paving stone ready for masons, 2s an hour. Certified men using explosives, Is lUd an hour. Workers using explosives where the quarry face is less than 20ft in height, Is lid an hour; all other workers, Is lOd an hour; tar workers, while so employed, Is lid an hour. Provision is made for the provision of accommodation and sanitation, as well as a modern first-aid emergency case. One youth may be employed on each quarry at the following rates: —From 17 to 18 years of age. Is an hour; from 18 to 19 years of age, Is Hd an hour; from 19 to 20 years, Is 3d an hour. All wages to be paid weekly or fortnightly on either Friday or Saturday. Casual employees to be paid for all time for which they are ordered to stand by on the work. After discussing the claims and counter-claims in full, the parties failed to reach an agreement, and the council adjourned until October 28.