THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 8 July 1903, Page 11

THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE

A reference has been filed by the Otago Shearers' Industrial Union of Workeis in an industrial dispute with eeitaui stationowners, which is to he taken direct to the Arbitration Court. Tho employers cited are: Mt-*rs J. \V. Cunningham (manager Moa Flat .Station), Robert Turnbull (Linnbiun Station. Patearoa), H. C. Wear (lela Valley Sution). A D. Bell (Shag Valley), W. Lo.idlaw 'Mutakanui), A. H. Chapman (Kurow), T. C. Ellis (Five Rivers, Merrivale, and Mount Nicholas Stations), and C. \V. R(id (Balruddery, Windsor). The following are tho conditions of labour asked for by tie Shearers' Union : —

1. The hours of working tc be from 7 a.m. to 5.45 p.m. on five days per week, work to cease on Saturdays at 11.45 a.m., the following hours to bo observed on five days per week, Monday to Fnday — Start work 7 a.m., cease work 9 30 a.m., lunch half hour, start work 10 a.m., cease woik 12 noon, dinner one hour; stait work 1 o'clock, cease work 3.15 p.m., lunch half hoiir ; start, work 345 p m., cea°e work 515 p.m. On Saturdays - Start work 7am, cease work 9.30 a m., lunch hall houi , slart work 10 a.m., cease work 11.45 a m , making a total of 18 hours per week 2. That the price fen -.hearing ficxk 'heep ho a-t the rate of 18s per 10", with rations as stipulated :■) That the price for si, earing all rams be at the rate of Ith per 100, with rations as .stipulated 4 That the price for shearing -tud sheep be paid /or as per arrangen" it. 5 That all doub.e-ne, ed sheep be paid lor at the rate of 27s pe-i l'jo, v. ith rations as Mipulated.

6. That all daggy sheep be dagged before coining into the shed to be shorn. 7. That the sheepowner pay on demand 75 per cent, of wages earned. 8. That the exchange bedded to all cheques or orders. 9. That all sheep shorn be paid for in full. 10. That no shearer be compelled to shear wet sheep or caoicored sheep. 11. That a representative be elected by the shearers, such representative and the person in charge of tho shed to be the responsible person to settle all disputes other than regarding wet sheep. 12. That in the event of a dispute arising with wet sheep a vote of the shearers be taken, with the woolclasser and manager, the majority to rule, and in the event of a tie the manager to have a casting vote. 13. That no shearei enter i catching-pen after the bell rings. 14. That all sheep be taken carefully from the catching-pen. 15. That the sheepowner finds free grazing for one horse for each shearer. IG. That the sheepowner finds, free of cost, ono grindstone to every eight or part of eight shearers. 17 That in the sheds where machines -aro used the sheepowner finds the necessary machinery. Combs and cutters to be supplied at cost price. 18. That no borrowing be allowed. 19. That the ahcepowuer supply good, wholesome rations, including good fresh or salt butter, and served in sufficient quantity. 20. That preference shall be given tc unionists.