CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 17785, 14 July 1916, Page 3

CONCILIATION COUNCIL

STOREMEN’S DEMANDS. In the Courthouse on Wednesday the Commissioner (Mr J. R. Triggs) presided over a sitting of the Conciliation Council relative to the demands of the Storemen's Union. At the outset the Commissioner suggested that the employers might follow the example of others in the north and concede a war bonus of 10 per cent., but their representatives said their instructions were to intimate that the employers desired the matter referred to the Arbitration Court. They, however, were agreeable that any increase which might be granted by the Court would operate as from May 1, 1916. The assessors said if the men were willing to accept a 5 per cent war bonus they would place the matter before the employers. The sjtting occupied an hour and ~a half, during which time several suggestions were made for a settlement of the dispute, but they were all rejected, and the case will come before the Arbitration Court. DRIVERS’ AWARD. Yesterday morning Mr Triggs presided over a conference of the- Drivers’ Union and employers. The following were the assessors : For the Union, Messrs J. Winders and A. E. Smith; for the employers, Messrs F. A. Webb, R. S. Waterston, and F. M. M. Ritchie. The sitting occupied close on two hours, by which time an agreement had been come to It provided that drivers of one horse receive £2 12s per week, as against £2 8s in the old award; drivers of two horses, £2 16s, compared with it 12s, the previous rate. Casual drivers are to receive, the following wages, those, formerly ruling being within parentheses : One horse. Is 3d per hour (Is lid); two or more horses, Is 4id (Is 3d); overtime, is 4id per hour (is 3d). A new clause was inserted, that not more than nine hours are to be worked in any one day (exclusive of the necessary attendance on horses), without overtime rates being paid. In connection with the delivery of milk, the hours of work are not to exceed 52i per week, and work is not to comrpence earlier than 3 a.m. All employees are to be allowed a week’s holiday on full pay each year after the completion of twelve months’ service.

The term of the award is to date from July 13, and to continue in force until the Court shall alter or amend i*, tiie power to do which of its own motion the Court reserves to itself.