HORSE-SHOEING TRADE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 31, 13 March 1914, Page 10

HORSE-SHOEING TRADE.

• THE FARRIERS' DISPUTE. * / 1 The Conciliation Commissioner sat this morning to consider the dispute between the Christchurch Farriers' Union and certain employers. The assessors for the workers were Messrs F. W. Penfold, B. Turner, and P. CockIburn, and for the employers Messrs pttncan M'Arthur, Chas. V. Harvey |md Ernest A. Archer. The Commissioner said that he usually heard a case on the basis of the previous award, but as in this case there was only an agreement, ten years old, lie would not take it into consideration. It was agreed that the following should be regular holidays:—New Year's Day and following day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, King's Birthday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. HOURS.OF LABOUR AND OVER- ..*. TIME. /The union demanded that the hours of labour should consist of 46$ hours per. week, to be worked between 7.45 a.m. and 5 p.m. on five days of the week, and between 7.45 a.m. and noon •on Saturdays. All time worked after specified hours should be regarded as over-time, to be paid for at the rate of 4ime and a quarter for the first two hours, and time and a half afterwards. The employers suggested the addition of the words: —"Such over-time rates not to* take effect until any work in shops commenced previous to specified closing time be completed, such work to be paid for at ordinary rates.'' Mr M'Arthur said that the trade was most peculiar one, so far as the irregularity of hours was concerned, and work might be very slack during a portion of the day, and then a number of horses might be brought in about four o 'clock in the afternoon. Mr Harvey said that sometimes the workers had their coats on ready to go Lome before 5 p.m., and a man might . come in with two horses. This would irean perhaps an hour's extra, work. On other days there might be no such work. 'They did not want to be unreasonable. Mr Triggs said that the clause as framed by the employers might be liable to abuse. An,unscrupulous employer'might . get out of paying any work which cpuld properly be so classed. * He thought there should be some time limit, which would do away with any* abuse. After consultation it was agreed that overtime should not bejcommenced until • a, horse had been finished which was commenced on before the closing time agreed upon. [The total hours of work were subsequently altered, as will appear below. Otherwise the clause stands.] , APPRENTICES. The clause with regard to apprentices was agreed to. The wages shall be:— iJFirst year, 10/- a week,; second year, £1 per week; third year, £1 10/- per week; fourth year, £2 per week; and fifth, year, £2 10/- per week. The period is five years, with three mpnths' probation at the beginning. There shall be one apprentice to each shop, and an additional one for every two "workers after the first two. RATE OF WAGES. . The union asked that minimum wages . should be as follows:—Competent farriers, £3. 6> per man employed for portion o^his> time as floormah should be classed' as "a floorman. The employers suggested that the rate should be 1/3 and 1/1 pef hour respectively. The Commissioner expressed the opinion that it would be far better for

both sides if an hourly wage were fixed. From the employers' point of view, it would be better. If a worker were to become ill the employer would have to "sack" him or pay his wages for an in definite period, unless the hourly wage were specified. He was sure that if the basis of wages were so fixed the workers would be fairly treated by the employers.

Mr Penfold said that the trade was not what it once was. The competition of motor-cars and taxis had so driven horses off the streets that there was not nearly so much work to do now as there had been some years ago. Such was the position that the employers could not afford to pay a high minimum. .

If an hourly wage were to be adapted, the workers asked for 1/3 for flpormen and 1/4$ for farriers. The employers objected that this was too much. Mr Harvey said that there was *not sufficient difference between the floorman's wages and the farrier's. They wanted a man to have the ambition to better himself, but if the difference was so small there would be no such ambition, and a floorman would be content to remain a floorman all his life.

The workers' representatives contended that a floorman's work was the hardest labouring work ever done, and in many shops, where the boss acted as farrier, the floorman had to be able to make a shoe as well as fit it.

Mr Triggs suggested that the floor - man should get 1/2 and the farrier 1/4s. He thought there 3hould be some considerable difference between the two rates.

The workers' representatives held out for a higher rate for floormen.

The; Commissioner held a long consultation with the workers' representatives in private, and then with the employers. On resuming the Commissioner said they had come to this conclusion, that if the workers would agree to a 48 hours' week the.employers would pay at the rate of 1/3 per hour for floormen, and 1/44 per hour for..farriers. Tfie hours between which this time shall be worked was left to arrangement in each shop, so long as work shall not commence before 7 a.m.; .or end later- than 6 p.m. (noon on Saturdays).

PIECEWORK. The workers demanded that piecework should not be allowed except for shoeturning:—Jin by lin, 2/6; lin plain, 3/-; lin heels, 3/6 per doz; iron to be cut in master's time. The employers suggested that the rate for shoe-turning should be 2/6 per dozen for all plain shoes, and 3/- per dozen for draught shoes with.heels; all iron to be cut in turner's own time. Piecework shall not be allowed except for shoe-turning. The workers accepted the employers' proposals. UNDERRATE WORKERS. The employees proposed that: —"Any worker who considers himself incapable of earning the minimum wage fixed by this award, may be paid such lower wage as may be fixed by the executive of this Union.'' The employers suggested instead that: "Any workman unable to earn the minimum wage shall be paid such less sum as shall be agreed upon by a committee consisting of two employers and two members of the Union. Should the committee be unable to agree, the matter shall be referred to the chairman of the Conciliation Board; whose decision shall be final." The Commissioner said that the Court would not have either of these clauses. It had an under-rate clause of its own, and this was the only one they would get. The Court's clause was adopted. OTHER QUESTIONS. The Union demanded that the award should take effect within a radius of ten miles of Christchurch Post Ofllce. The employers asked that the radius be made 25 miles. The Commissioner pointed out that if this were done the employers outside the ten-mile radius would have to be cited. This course was agreed to, and the radius was fixed at forty miles. The preference clause was agreed to.