INDUSTRIAL AWARDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25881, 27 June 1945, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL AWARDS

ARBITRATION COURT FINDINGS SOFT GOODS WAREHOUSEMEN The Arbitration Court has delivered its findings in the industrial dispute relating to the New Zealand (except Marlborough, Westland, and Canterbury) soft goods warehousemen’s award. 'Die hours of work are to consist Of 40 per week, to be worked between 8 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on five days of the week and between 8 a.m. and noon on Saturdays. The minimum weekly rate for senior warehousemen has been increased by 10s, making it £5 15s a week, plus the court's cost-of-living bonuses. Junior male rates have been increased by 5s to 10s a week. A worker shall receive not less than £4 6s per week when 21 years of age; not less than £4 15s per week when 22 years of age; and not less than £5 15s per week when 23 years of age or over. It is also provided that a male worker in his twelfth year of service and thereafter, or 28 years of age or over, shall be paid not less than £6 per week. The minimum weekly rate for senior females has been increased by 10s a week, making £3 12s 6d a week, plus the court’s bonuses. Junior female rates have also been increased by 5s to 10s a week. . A traveller shall be paid a minimum wage of £6 5s per week for the first year, and £6 7s 6d per week after two years’ travelling service, exclusive of car allowance and travelling expenses. A " country traveller ” is a traveller wholly or substantially engaged outside of the town and suburbs thereof in which the warehouse is situated, and nothing in this award in respect to hours of work and overtime shall apply to country travellers. A casual hand shall be paid not less than 3s 3Jd per hour. A warehouseman shall be deemed to be a casual hand when employed for less than one week. Two weeks’ holiday on full pay shall be allowed to each worker on the completion of each year of employment. Subject to the provisions of the Annual Holidays Act, 1944, such holiday may be allowed in conjunction with the Christmas and New Year holiday. Nothing in the award is to apply to male workers in receipt ol £420 per annum or more.

Tire award in so far as it relates to wages shall be deemed to have come into force on April 1. 1945, and it is to continue in force until April 1, 1946. In a dissenting opinion, the employees’ representative on the court, Mr A. L. Monteith states: "In my opinion a fiveday week (Monday to Friday) should have been awarded. If this industry cannot work a five-day week, I do not know one in New Zealand that can," he states. "In fact, nearly all the workers covered by this award are now observing the fiveday week (Monday to Friday).”