SUGAR WORKS’ EMPLOYEES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23955, 2 November 1939, Page 11

SUGAR WORKS’ EMPLOYEES

APPLICATION FOR NEW AWARD (Per United Press Association; AUCKLAND, Nov. 1. Application for a new award by the Birkenhead Sugar Works Employees’ Union was heard in the Arbitration Court to-day Mr Justice O’Regan presided, Mr C. Chandler, secretary of the union, appeared for the employees, and Mr E. G. Upton, of Sydney, industrial officer for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, Ltd,, for the employers. Only a few points were agreed to in the Conciliation Council, including hours of work for shiftmen, public holidays, and the payment of double rates for overtime on Sundays and holidays. The union’s claims were for an eighthour five-day week and general overtime at time and a-half for the first three hours and double time thereafter, with special conditions for some classes of workers. It claimed an increase of 14s on the existing basic rate of £4 6s a week, and also additional increases for various classes, amounting in some cases to 10s in the margin above (he basic rate paid to these classes. Annual leave of 15 consecutive working days for shiftmen and 10 consecutive working days for other workers, commencing on the day following Boxing Day, was claimed by the union. The hearing was unfinished.