SAWMILL WORKERS

Southland Times, Issue 19393, 6 November 1924, Page 5

SAWMILL WORKERS

SOUTHLAND DISPUTE SETTLED PROVISIONS OF NEW AGREEMENT SUCCESSFUL CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS. A sitting of the Conciliation Council was held at the Law Courts, Invercargill, yesterday, to deal with an industrial dispute between the Southland Sawmill Workers’ Union (applicants) and the Southland Sawmillers (respondents). The Commissioner (Mr W. H. Hagger) presided. Mr A. F. Webb acted as agent for the employers, the assessors for whom were Messrs J. Hensley, J. Mclntyre, and W. Mitchell. Messrs Moore, of Moore and Sons, Hekeia, and Peter Daly, Port Craig, were also present. The assessors for the Union were Messrs C. Dun* can, A. Chisholm, and T. O’Byrne. A complete agreement was arrived at, the most important provision being a rise of 8d per day in most cases. The hours of work agreed upon were 8 hours per day and 48 per week. Overtime shall be paid for at the rate of time and a half for excess of 48 hours per week, and double time for the following holidays, if worked: New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, Christmas Day, Labour Day, and all Sundays. Overtime worked for the purpose of repairing breakdowns to be paid for at ordinary rates. The usual under rate workers and preference clauses were agreed to. Wages are to be paid twice monthly, unless on request of a majority of workers at any mill, in which case another system, if required, shall be adopted. Twentyfour hours' notice of termination of employment shall be given on either side. Proper and sufficient accommodation shall be provided at all mills, and where necessary a shower-bath and facilities for drying clothes shall be provided. A first-aid outfit for use in case of accidents at a mill is to be provided. RATES OF PAY. The following scale of wages was agreed

Any worker who is at present receiving higher wages than herein prescribed shall not have his wages reduced. Where men are working over a mile from the mill they shall travel one way in the employer’s time, except where the employer provides a means of conveyance free of charge, or where a bush camp is provided for the men by the employer. The scope of the award shall be all that part of Otago west of the Molyneux, and including Stewart Island. The award shall come into force on December 1, 1924, and remain in force for 12 months.

upon:-— Per Day. s. d. Breast bench sawyer, who keeps two saws and top saw .. . . 19 10 Breast bench sawyer, who keeps one saw . .. 19 0 Breast bench sawyer, who keeps no saws 17 0 Big bench sawyer, who keeps bottom and top saws 15 6 Breast bench taxier-out 16 0 Big bench assistant 14 6 First-class machinist, who makes his own knives and irons .. 16 6 Second-class machinist, who does not make his own knives and irons 15 6 First-class certificated enginedriver 16 10 Second-class certificated en-gine-driver 15 10 Hauling engine-driver 14 • Qualified drivers of locomotives 15 10 Other engine-drivers, uncertificated 14 6 Leading bushmen 17 • Other bushmen . 16 6 Shoemen 17 6 Assistant shoemen 15 6 Stokers and brakesmen 14 6 Log trolleymen and waggoners attending up to four horses 16 6 Trolleymen and waggoners attending over four homes .. . 17 6 Timber trolleymen, fid per day less than above rates. Blacksmith . 16 0 Leading tramwaymen .. .. .. 15 6 Other tramwaymen .. 14 6 Slabmen 14 6 Y ard workers 14 6 Boys, 14 years, 7/- per day, with rise of 1/- per day every year. Doctors and cross-cutters .. .. 15 0 Trolleymen, £4 16/- per week. Bench sawyers 17 0 Setters .. M 15 0 Doggers .. .. 14 8 Turner-down .. .. .. 14, s Head rigger — 17 6 Head breaker-out 17 6 Other riggers and breakers-out 16 6 Aerial engine-drivers IS 0 Aerial log loaders . 15 6 Engineers and millwrights .. 17 6 All other workers, not specifically mentioned 14 «