HOTEL WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1921, Page 7

HOTEL WORKERS.

CONDITIONS OF BM’PMYMENT. APPLICATION FOR AWARD. TO COVER TARANAKI, An application for an award covering hours and wages for employees in licensed hotels was before the Arbitration Court at New Plymouth yesterday. Mr. Jackson (Auckland) appeared, for the union, and Mr. Grenfell (Wellington) represented the employers. In opposing the application Mr. Grenfell pointed out to the Court that the application was one by an Auckland union for an award in the Taranaki district. No dispute was created in the matter prior to the filing of the applications for the hearing of the dispute, and absolutely no request had been made for any alterations in the existing conditions, and he contended that in these circumstances the Court should throw' out the dispute. The relations between the employers and workers were of a perfectly amicable nature, and they resented the Auckland union’s action in coming into this industrial district and creating trouble where no trouble previ'ously existed. ' ■The president ■ (Mr. Justice Frazer) enquired if the employers, by their action in appearing at the Conciliation Council, had not waived their right to make an objection. Mr. Jackson pointed • out in this connection that a portion of an agreement had already been come to. Mr. Grenfell said this did not remove the fact that at the time the claims -were filed there was ro dispute, and that an Auckland union was coming into the Taranaki district.Mr. Jackson replied that the Taranaki hotel workers were duly registered as a branch of the Auckland union, and there was nothing contrary to law in this. ■ The Court proceeded to hear the dispute. Mr. Jackson announced that the union was prepared to accept the Court’s latest announcement —namely, the Gisborne award. Mr. Grenfell contended that it was not reasonable for the Court .to b.e asked to decide a dispute on a Taranaki matter on certain conditions which, were arrived at .in another district. They were not aware of what had been done elsewhere. Mr. Jackson replied that it was the usual custom to accept the .Court’s recent announcements in regard to various classes of disputes, if the other side did not-agree to the Gisborne award he would name the Wellington award, in which Mr. Grenfell conducted the case for the employers.

PROPOSED AWARD. The Wellington award provided for a 48-hour .week, not more than ten hours to be worked on any day without payment of overtime; working hours to be worked within six days only in each week, and one full day’s holiday to each worker; workers who are substantially employed in hotel bars, and who receive their full day’s holiday on Sunday, shall be entitled in addition to a half holiday on another day of the week; annual holiday of one week on full pay. Wajjes for kitchen workers ranged- as follows: Where five or more hands are employed, £5 for first chef, £3 10s for second, down to £2; four hands, £4 10s downwards; three hands, £3 17s 6d to £2; two hands, £3 and £2 2s 6d; one hand, male or female, £2 7s 6d; above rates to be increased by bonus of 10s for males and 5s for .females. Dining room employees: Head waiter, if two or more employed, £3; others, £2 15s; head waitress, £1 15s; others, £1 10s; housemaid-waitress,. £1 10s; barman, £3; above rates to be increased by 10s bonus for males and 5s for females. Where board is not provided, an extra £1 per week is to be paid by euiployer. In arguing the case on behalf of the employers, Mr. Grenfell pointed out that the class and volume of trade in the country districts was quite different to that of the cities. In the smaller places there were periods of great slackness, while on certain days of the week the .flush of trade was experienced, and in order to cater for this it was necessary to retain the staff beyond the usual hours. He thought that the matter of hours ought to be left to the Legislature, by whom it. was dealt with at present (through the Shops and Offices Act). In New South Wales hotels were still working on a 55 to 58-hbur week. Alterations had been made' in this State, but not by an Industrial Court, the amendments being carried by a Labor Government. He contended that a restriction such as the. 48-hour week ought pot to be imposed upon the employers. The serious effects of these would be seen in the ease of New Plymouth. To provide breakfast for guests leaving by' morning train It was necessary to have -the. staff working early, and there was also the receiving of visitors after the arrival .of the night express. DECISION RESERVED. Concerning the request for a certain annual holiday, Mr. Grenfell said the employers thought they should have .the right to retain the privilege of granting holidays at their own discretion, according' to a worker’s merit. In connection with the bonus, it was felt by- employers in this and other lines of business where employers found accommodation and' meals for workers that an injustice was being done by the imposition of the full bonus. According to the Government Statistician, food, rent, light and fuel comprised 59 per cent, of the cost of living; in hotels workers had the great bulk of these items provided for them. He suggested that the dispute had been engineered by the union, and that no complaints or applications for increases had come before the employers. Wm. P. Kirkwood, of Stratford, hotel licensee, said the effect of the reduction in. hours would be to increase the staffs. It would also take up more accommodation, which was all needed in country hotels. He -did not think the country hotels could afforu to pay the same wages as in the oity, on account of the difference in the-Volume of business. In many cases in Taranaki the class of servant was not very good, and. the licensees had to pay above the union rates to get good help. The Court will give its decision later.