WELLINGTON DISTRICT LABOUR AWARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 3

WELLINGTON DISTRICT LABOUR AWARD.

PRIVATE HOTELS, JLUBS, AND RESTAURANTS.

WELLINGTON, Juno 18. The conditions of labour amongst employees in the Wellington district in private hotels, clubs, and restaurants are set forth in ah award filed by the Arbitration Court with the clerk of awards. In a memoranddm attached to the award the court states that the principal questions submitted were (a) as to the establishments to be brought under the award as “ private hotels ”; (b) as to the minimum rate of wages; and (c) as to holidays. , The memorandum adds that the so-called private hotels arc really public boardinghouses, and carry on business in much the same way as ordinary hotels, differing from them only in that they- arc. not licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquors. /The court is of opinion, therefore, that as to their general management and the conditions of workers they should be placed on the same footing as hotels. Referring to wages, the memorandum states that the court has fixed these at the same rates as those already provided for workers in similar capacities under the award dealing with licensed hotels. Regarding holidays, tho court mentions that it was clearly intended by tho Legislature that private hotels should bo brought under the provisions of ' The Shops and Offices Act, 1908,” and its amendments; but, owing to a defective definition in "The Shops and Offices Act, 1910.” thii intention has been to a large extent defeated. The court, therefore, remedied the defect, as far as the establishments bound by, the award are concerned, by incorporating the provisions of these Acts in the award and applying them to such establishments. The court has thus -availed Itself of tho provisions- of section 8 of “ Tho Shops and Offices Act. Amendment Act, 1913,” and granted all workers covered by the award _ ono whole day’s holiday in each week in lieu of the half holiday or whole holiday provided by the Act, thus placing the workers on the same footing in this respect a* workers :n hotels.

The memorandum adds: “It appeared from the evidence that in some of tho establishments covered by this award tho workers obtained meals of a very unsubstantial character. The court has therefore provided that workers in all establishments (other than private hotels, which have to provide workers with their board and lodging or their equivalent) shall ho provided with substantial meals or tho means to procure them be paid in addition to the wages fixed. The schedule relating to private hotels prov'des for wages for kitchen and scullery hands ranging from £4 10s to £2 (for males), while females are to be paid threequarters of these rates. The wages for dining-room hands are: Waiters, £1 12s fid; waitresses. £1 2s fid; housemaids, 17s fid; housemaid-waitresses, 20s ; pantry—males, £1 7s fid; females. 20s. Porters—day, £1 7s fid; night, £1 10s. General hands (not lift boys and buttons). £1 7s fid. Billiard markers, £1 10s; laundresses, £1 ss. Where board is not provided an extra 15s week is to bo paid, and ‘where lodging is not provided 7« fid a week extra. As regards oyster saloons, restaurants, and tea luncheon rooms and refreshment rooms, the wages vary from £3 15s to 17s fid, according to the grade of the worker. Two substantial meals a working day aro to be supplied „ Clauses are also inserted dealing with general conditions, and providing that the hours of work shall be the same as those sot down by ‘ The Shops and Offices Act, 1908 ’ and its amendments. In lieu of tho half-holidav or whole day provided by the Act. one full day’s holiday shall be allowed. The. term of the award is for two years.