GAS STOKERS' AWARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2823, 22 April 1908, Page 14

GAS STOKERS' AWARD.

PROVISION AGAINST STRIKES. WELLINGTON. April 12. An award, the outcome of the dispute between the Wellington Gas -Stokers and Cokers' Union and the Wellington X3as Company (Ltd.), was to-day filed with Mr A. Stubbs, clerk of awards. It is to take effect on April 13, 1908, and continue m force until April 13, 1909. It sets out that a full week's work shall consist of seven shifts of eight hours per shift. A leading stoker shall be paid not less than 10s 6d per shift, and an ordinary stoker not less than 9s 9d per shift. The holidays to be recognised are as follows: — -NewYear's Day, Anniversary Day Good Friday, Easter Monday, Prince of Waless Birthday, Labour Day, the Sovereigns Birthday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and picnic day, if observed as a holiday m the gasworks. Work done on these days shall he paid f° r at the rate of double time. The number of retorts to be drawn and oharged m each shift shall not exceel 20 for each stoker. Whenever stokers are required to do full work on Sundays or holidays the employer shall provide a man to trim coke from the truck tips at least four hours during the day. The employer shall provide accommodation to the satisfaction of the Inspector of Factories to enable the workers to change their clothes and Bave their meate apart from the other employees of the employer. A sufficient supply of shale shall be kept m the retort house to m«et the requirements on Sundays, holidays, and nights. The union Bhall do ell m its power to prevent any strike by any of the workers affected by the award, and if any strike shall occur m which any members of the union shall take part such strike 6hall be prima facia evidence that .the union has committed a,

breach of its duty. The court reserves t»' itself full power, m the event of any euch strike as last-mentioned occurring, to suspend, on the applioation of the employer, the operation of all or any of the provisions of the award for such period as the court thinks proper.