WHARF LABOURERS’ AWARD

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1930, Page 11

WHARF LABOURERS’ AWARD

NEW PROVISION AT WELLINGTON. ; ARBITRATION COURT DECISION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, August ’9. Although the wharf labourers employed by the Wellington Harbour Board have not hitherto worked under the-pro-visions of an award, they are to do so in the near future, when special provisions have been decided upon which will enable them to come' under control of the builders and general labourers’ award. This was the outcome of a case heard in the Arbitration Com t, when the union made application for a separate award covering the 'work done by wharf labourers.’ Mr. P. M. Butler, for the union, said a peculiar position had arisen between the union and the Harbour Board. If it had not been for the existence of. the Arbitration Act a very serious position might have come about. The Harbour Board had taken up the stand of ignoring the union entirely. The board declined to appear before the Conciliation Council, and ultimately the case had come before the Arbitration Court. The men affected by the present application were engaged in road work, tipping work and peculiar construction work. None of this could he brought under any existing award. - Mr. W. J. Mountjoy, for. the employers, said the union had failed to prove that the employees of the Harbour Board were not working unde as favourable conditions as those under the labourers’ awards. i •

Hig.: Honour: .Any, organisation has a right to apply for a new award. It is just a question whether the workers would not come under an existing award.” ' •

* After hearing, the evidence, his Honour said the court was not of one mind as to the course to take. The opinion of the majority was that the Harbour Board should be a party to the award and that the parties should confer to frame special provisions to meet special conditions, including the rate of wages. Arrangements were made with counsel for a conference to determine the special provisions.