THE FURNITURE TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1920, Page 8

THE FURNITURE TRADE.

WAGES AND CONDITIONS, ~ THE TARANAKI AWARD. A sitting of the Conciliation Council was held at New Plymouth yesterday, to consider the application by the Taranaki Furniture Trades' Union for a new award covering the Taranaki Industrial District. The Commissioner (Mr. W. Newton) presided. The employers' representatives were Messrs. R. H. Saunders, A. C. Baker, and J, Lobb, and the assessors for th© employees were Messrs. Chas. S. Cottam, Geo. D. Braund, and D. R. Kennedy, Trades Hall, Wellington.

The application by the Union w&s in effect intended to secure the extension of the award in other parts of. the Dominion to Taranaki, and this was conceeded.

The award provides for a forty-four hour week. The minimum wage to be paid to journeymen cabinetmakers and upholsterers, chair and frame makers, is 2s per hour, plus 3d bonus; and for picture frame makers and wire-mattresa makers in all branches Is IOJd per hour plus 3d per hour bonus. Laborers employed at timber stacking, furniturepacking, or other unskilled work, Is ljd per hpur, plus 3d-bonus. Overtime rates are time and a half for the first three hours and thereafter double time; for work done on Sundays, Good Friday or Christmas day, double time; Easter Monday, King's Birthday, Labor Day, Boxii.g Day, or New Year's Day, time and a half; apprentices, first year 15s per week, second year £1 2s 6d per week, up to £2 10s for fifth year.

The award also contained the usual conditions as to preference to unionists, and conditions of employment. The new draft will operate from October 1. The Commissioner congratulated the parties on having arrived at a complete settlement. It was pleasing to note the attitude adopted by the employers: and nr'Tiloyeos in the trade right throughout le Dominion, and he hoped to see the Lame feeling continue.

Representatives of the parties replied ill similar terms.