CONCILIATION COURT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14275, 16 August 1910, Page 2

CONCILIATION COURT.

PLUMBERS' AWARD. At the Coudthouse yesterday the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr J. R. Triggs, heard the parties interested in an award for the plumbers, gasiitters and sheet-metal workers of South Canterbury. The South Canterbury Builders' Association and others were named as objectors. The ' employees' assessors were Messrs John Milieu, Benj. North, and Thos. Maleolmson. Mr J. .Bissland, secretary of the Dunediu Plumbers' Union, conducted the case on behalf of the employees, Mr YV. P. Hitches was present on account of the New Zealand Federated Tinsmiths and Sheet-Metal Workers Union. The employers assessors were Messrs H. S. Gri'fliths (Plumbers' Association). A. W. Fawcett and C. Hodges. The Canterubry Farmers' Co-operative Association and Booth Mi-Donald and Co., applied to be exempted from the award, contending that they did not undertake any plumbing or gas-fitting, work. Mr Triggs said that if these firms employed plumbers they must c-;:ne under the award, and if they did not the award would not affect them. The Union's representative siid that when these firms erected windmills liii-v had to engage men to do plumbing work. Mr Triggs, in reply to a. question, said that all similar (inns to Booth end McDonald would be cited. Mr Curtis, on behalf of the Timaru Gas Coy., said that Saturday half-holi-day would not suit them, as they w. old be in a very inconvenient position if something went wrong with the gas supply on a Saturday when all the men were, away playing football. Mr Triggs said that the clause in the Christchurch award was a reasonable one. There the Christchurch Gas Coy, undertook .to observe the Saturday half-holiday, and were allowed some small exemptions in case of emergencies, such as accidents or break down and including all repair work. After some discussion this clause was agreed to by the parties picsent. Messrs Priest and .lloldgate were granted permission to employ sheetmetal workers on Saturday afternoon, Mr Priest pointing out that this concession was a necessity, as their piace of business was open on Saturday, and country ueople came in with repairs. ! WAGKS. j Mr Griffiths said that Is 3d an hour , was plenty for plumbers, making no distinction between certificated and uncertificated plumbers. Employers did . not think that a certificate was worth 1 much.

j Mi- Fawcett said that he had known ! cert Heated men who had not the experience of boys. The certificate did not make a man a plumber. As Tim- ' aru was only in its infancy in regard to sanitary matters the work did°not (warrant a higher rate than Is 3d. J Mr Bissland said that the plumbers j were fully determined to have an in- : crease for certificated plumbers. Mr Triggs thought the employers 1 were quite willing to give able men I with certificates Is oil an hour.

Mr Bissland —Then thev might as (well refer the question to the ArbitraI tion Court. Mr Triggs—The Court would simply give the old award. 1 Mr Griffiths objected to the attitude I taken up by Mr Bissland. J Mr Iriggs said that Mr Bissland did I not seem to havo come to the Court , m a very conciliatory spirit, and unless jh? adopted a very different tone he i would have to ask him to leave the i room.

I Mr Jfaweett said that the employers I had an offer to make ordinary I plumbers Is 3d an hour, those holding I 1-imara certificates Is 4d an hour, and those holdimr Sydney. Melbourne or London certificates Is 5d an hour ' Mr Triggs suggested they should adopt the Dunediu award, which proj vided that a plumber who could supervise a .10?), and understand plans and 1 specifications was entitled to Is od an' hour.

It was ultimately agreed that con*.

| petciit plumb-rs, uncertificated, should ; rec.-ive Is 3d ji.i hour, and that pliim- | hers who have obtained a certificate I from the London Institute or one of ! equal value should receive is 5d per I hour.

flic employees asked that a sheet mi lal worker, a man competent to do all work in connection, with sheet metal inclusive of galvanised iron, tin, copper, brass work, etc., should receive l.s .'3d per hour.- Mr Grifliths said that the employers considered that 9s per day was sufficient for these workers. —After some discussion it was agreed to give its (id per day. Is L'i<l per hour a.s a minimum wage.' Hours of Work.— It was agrcid to adhere to the old award,-providing that 4 1 hours constitute a full weeks work, eight hours per day_, and four hours' on Saturday: excepting sheet metal workers who shall work four hours on Thursday, instead of on Saturday. Clauses with regaid to tinder-rate workers, payment of overtime, and holidays were agreed to without much discussion.

A long discussion ensued on the question of suburban work, which was denned as work performed by workers at a distance of over li miles from his employers place of business, ami which does not come within -the definition of country work. The consideration of suburban, town, and country work clauses in general was held over till today.

Roth na.rties agreed to observe the following as holidays: Xew Year's Day Good Friday. Easter Monday. Kin<>'- S Birthday. Labour Day. Christmas Day aml Boxing Bay; it being provided that any of these, holidays can be substituted for others with' agreement of both parties.

Overtime is to be paid as followsTime and a quarter for the first two hours, time and a half for the second two hours, and dnubv time after—On Sunday. Good Friday, and Christmas Day work is to be paid for at double time rates.

The Court then adjourned till 10 o clock this morning.