CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 21

CONCILIATION COUNCIL

HOTEL EMPLOYEES' DISPUTE. Tho Conciliation Council (Mr J. R. Triggs presiding) sat in Dunedin on the 21st. The first dispute was that between the hotel employees and the employers. The former asked for an increase of from 5s to 10s in the weekly wage, whilst the employers offered the rato of wages laid down in tho old award. It was agreed that the board allowance be increased from 15s to 20s, and that tho half-holiday to bar attendants be abolished.

The increases decided upon were as follow, the previous rates being shown in parentheses:— Kitchen: Where four hands are employed., those classified as "others," the wages are raised from £l 7s 6d to £1 10s. Where two hands are employed, second £1 12a 6d (£1 10s) j where only one hand is employed, female cook £1 12s 6d (£1 10s). In hotels where females are employed in kitchen or soullery, the wages to such workers shall be in the proportion of not less than threefourths of the wages prescribed for male workers employed in a similar capacity, such females to be paidl not less than £1 5s per week (£1 2s 6d). Dining-room: Where three or more waiters are 1 employed, the wages of a head waiter shall be a matter to be arranged between the waiter and his employer, provided that such wages shall in no sucn case be less than £2 12s 6d (£2 ss) per week, and provided also that no waiter who is at present in receipt of a higher wage shall have his wages reduced. All others £2 (£1 12s 6d). A new clause providing for a relieving girl at £1 13s per week was inserted. Waitresses, £1 4s (£1 3s); houseanaid-waitresses, £1 3s (£1 Is)- housemaids, £1 2s 6d (£1 2s). Pantry: Males, £1 12s 6d (£1 10s); females, £1 3s (£1 Is ). Porters: Day porters, £1 10s (£1 7s 6d); night porter, £1 15s (£1 12s 6d); general hands, £1 10s (£1 7s 6d); laundress, £1 10s (£1 7s 6d). Barmen, £2 10s (£2 ss); barmaids. £2 (£1 12s 6d); bar porters, £1 17s 6d (£1 15s). It was agreed that the award come into operation on November 1. 1917, and remain in force until October 31, 1919, or six months after the termination of the war._ In the afternoon the dispute concerning private hotels, restaurants, tea rooms, and oyster saloons was taken. The following are the increases decided upon, the figures in brackets being the amount paid under the old award: Kitchen and Scullery Workers—Males where five or more workers are employed in or about a kitchen and scullery of any hotel (third hand struck out), three others, £1 15s (£1 7s 6d); where four workers are so employed—first hand, £4 (£3 15s), third hand (struck out), others, £1 153 (£l 7s 6d); where three workers are so employed—third hand, £1 12s 6d (£1 7s 6d); where two workers are so employed—first hand £2 15s (£2 10s). No female to be employed in or about the kitchen for less than 25s per week. Head waiters, £2 12s 6d (new); head waitresses, £1 7s 6d (new); dmmg room waiters, £1 17s 6d (£1 12s 6d); waitresses, £1 5s (£1 2s 6d); housemaids, £1 13s (£1 7s 6d);-housemaid-waitresses, £1 5s (£1); pantrvmaids, £1 3s (£1); day porters, £1 12s 6d (£1 7s 6d); night porters, £1 15s (£1 10s); general hands, £1 12s 6d (£1 7s 6d). / Provisions relating to oyster saloons, restaurants, tea and luncheon rooms, and refreshments rooms:—Kitchen and scullery workers, where four or more workers are employed—fiirst hand. £4 (£3 15s); third hand (struck out) ; others, £1 15s (£1 7s 6d) Where three workers are employed—first hand, £2 15s (£2 10s); second hand, £1 15s (£1 10s). The following new clause was inserted: No female shall be employed in or about tho kitchen for less than 25s per week. Head waitresses, £1 7s 6d (new); housemaid-waitresses, where no other worker is kept, £1 5s (new); relieving girl, £1 5s (new); waitresses, £1 5s (£1 2s 6d); oyster openers, £2 5s (£1 15s) ; marble bar attendants (male), £2 15s (new); counter hands (female), £1 5s (new). It was resolved that tho agreement come into operation on November 1, 1917, and remain in force for two years, and six months after the termination of the war. Congratulations were extended to the commissioner for his efforts in conciliating tho parties, and he in turn complimented the parties on the excellent spirit shown.