CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3442, 2 March 1920, Page 40

CONCILIATION COUNCIL

PAPER MILLS DISPUTE. Mr W. H. Hagger (Conciliation Commissioner) held a sitting of the Conciliation Council on Saturday morning to deal with the dispute between the New Zealand Paper Mills (Ltd.) and the Dunedin Paper Mills' Union. There were associated with him as assessors: Employers' representatives—Messrs 11. L. Dolamore, W. Ross, and A. S. Cookson; union representatives—Messrs A. Probar, J. Jeffery, and A. Peterson, with Mr F. L. Evans as agent. A brief discussion resulted in an agreement that the hours of work should be 48 for adult workers and 44 for youths and females. Wages were agreed to as follow:—Machine men,, Is 7£d; beater men, Is 6d; cutter men, Is sd; finishers, Is ?J-d; finishers' chargemen. Is 4£d: boiler-house men, Is 4£d; boiler-house chargemen, ]s sd: bailer, Is 4£d; yardmen, Is Z%d : all others, Is 3sd per hour; and paper pickers lOd per cwt. The _ wages of youths were fixed at the following rates: —14 years to 15 years, £1 : 15 to 16. £1 ss; 16 to 17, £1 15s; 17 to 18, £2; 18 to 19, £2 10s; over 19 years, minimum wage. In the matter of wages for females the employers contended that payment should be according to length of service, while the union fought for wages according to age. Ultimately it was agreed that a girl entering the industry between 14 and 15 years should receive 15s per week for the first six months, and an increase of 2s 6d per week for each six months until the tenth six months, when the minimum of £2 is reached. A bonus of 3Jd per hour for hourly workers and 2s per week for youths and females was agreed to, and overtime was fixed at' time and a-half. The whole matter was thus amicably settled, the usual holiday, preference, and under-rate workers' clauses being accented by both sides, .and the agreement arrived at (which will also rule the Mataura Millsl will have effect, from the 27th inst until August 27, 1921.