CONCILIATION COURT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14276, 17 August 1910, Page 6

CONCILIATION COURT.

THE PLU.MIiK.LIS' AWARD, The Conciliation Court resumed its Bitting at Timaru yesterday, when the parties interested in an award lor the youth Canterbury Plumbers, Gashtters and Sheet-metal Workers' discussed a number of clauses regarding the definition of town, country, and suburban work, use of tools, payment- of wages, apprentices, preference, and notice of dismissal.

The Commissioner, Mr J. R, Triggs, read the list of the parties it was proposed to join to the award:—Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association, A. Cooper, J. Cooper, C. Bates, J. l'eoly, W. Fleming, C. Hodges and Co., Russell," J. Currio, Nisbet, Ltd., Philip and Roy, W. Hitch, Priest and Holdgate, G. Lewis, AY. Healey, Hadlio and Clough, J. Craigie, Booth McDonald and Co., Timaru Gas Coy., T. Slaughter, Tieid and Gray (Timaru), C.K.C.A. (Waimatu and Geraldine). In regard to suburban work it was agreed that journeymen, shall be at tho place where the work is to bo performed at tho hours appointed for the commencement of work; but if such place is distant more than a mile and a half from tho Chief Post Office of the city or town, in which the employers' place of business is .situate each journeyman employed shall be paid tho ordinary rate of wages for the time occupied in proceeding thereto; but there shall be deducted the time occupied in proceeding for the first mile and a half from the residence of a journeyman. When the work is morn than three miles from bucli Chief Post Office, the employer shall provide a conveyance or pay tram or train fares; the worker to be paid for all travelling time before 7.30 a.m, and after 5 p.m. Where the employers do not supply a conveyance the worker shall secure one penny per mile for the use of his bicycle, and payment for the time occupied in travelling at the rate of 8 miles per hour, at the ordinary rate of wages. 'These clauses will also apnly to apprentices. Clauses in regard to country work were agreed to as follows:—Country work means work which necessitates lodging elsewhere than at the usual place of residence: tho employers to decide what is countrv work when the work engaged in J s ] oss than 15 miles away from the place of business. Any journeyman or apprentice

employed on country work shall be conveved bv Ins employer to and irom such | work free of charge, or his travelling • expenses to and from such work shall ; be paid by his employer but once only j during the continuance of the work, ; it such work is continuous and the employee is not in the meantime recalled by his employer. Journeymen and apprentices wnifworking at country work shall be paid j an additional sum of 3s per day for six days in the week, but the employer may in lieu thereof provide such journeyman or apprentices free of charge with suitable board and lodgings while so engaged. In regard to tools it was agreed that the cmpolyers shall provide- their employees with soldering bolts for shop purposes, iron pipe fitting wrenches, from .1 i inches upwards, all screwing and cutting tools, springs and tarnish, files for special work, metal pots, plumbing irons, mandrills, and large chisel bars. Apprenticeship clauses were next discussed, it being agreed that the proportion of apprentices shall be one to each journeyman, fully employed, and an computing the number of journeymen, each firm being counted as one journeyman, prov.dtd one of the firm is a practical plumber. Every apprenticeship shall serve .not less than six years, at the end of which time he shall be paid not less than Is 3d an hour, being deemed an improver except when an employee holds a certificate; then he shall be entitled to full pay. Tho following is to be the ni.niuuim rate of wages for plumbers apprentices, for the first year 6s, second iOs, third 10s, fourth 20s, fifth 20s, and sixth 32s (3d The terms of tho Christehurch award in regard to appientices for sheetmetal work were agreed to, wages being first year 7s, second 10s. third 10s fourth 22>, filth 30s. Clauses were agreed to as follows: Payment of Wages—All wages shall be paid weekly or fortnightly, either <:n the job or at the employer's place of business, and, wherever paid, shall be to the worker by 12 o'clock noon In the event of a worker being on a job and having to go to his employer's place of business to receive his wage's, he shall do .so in his employer's time. When rn employee is kept waiting after 12 o'clock noon, he shall be paid overtime for such tune delayed.

J. reference —Preference of employment shall be given to members- 1 of the tnioii, provided that in all resneets the member seeking employment shall be as thoroughly competent to do the work rcquircd as any other non-member of the tnion who may also apply lor employment or be employed. A clause was also adooted providing that in the cine of the dismissal of any worker, or any worker leaving of his own accord not less than foiir hours' notice shall be given on either side, and that any money due to such worker be paid immediately his time expires. The award will" remain in operation lor a period of two vears. In conclusion, Mr Bissland, on behalf of the. employees, and Air Griffiths, on behalf oi the employers, expressed satisfaction at the amicahle nature of the settlement, and referred to the able manner in which Air Triggs had conducted the Court. Air Tries -dso made a few remarks commenting on the friendliness s)w n by both parties