WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6281, 12 September 1898, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

• WELLINGTON TAILORESSES' UNION. During a chat with one of the officials of the Wellington Tailoresses' Union, a " Post " representative was informed that the members of the Union were well pjeased with the award of the Arbitration Court. The changes made by the award covered no less than : eight points. The minimum wage for first-class coati hands stands under •the award as it has been, but third-class hands receive an increase of 2s 6d per week. First-class vest and trousers hands receive an increase of 5s per week. The graduated increase of third-class coat hands and tliird-class vest and trousers hands is quite a new arrangement in the trade, and its effect will be that on the expiry of the term during which tlie graduation exists the hands affected will receive what will be equivalent to an increase of 4s per week on the present rate of wages. The piecework log adopted by the Court slightly increases the rates prevailing vmdzr the log at present in force. Payment for overtime on time-work is not geaeralljr made a& present, and the award makes payment general, and the addition of 25 per cent for overtime piece-work is also new. The limitation of the number of apprentices as asked for was granted, as also was the preference of unionists in employment. The Union makes no demur to the qualification set upon the preference by the Court. The suggestion of the Union as to the wages of vest and trousers ap- : prentices was adopted, but the alteration | in favour of coat hands is new, and; is acknowledged to be an improvement? j upon the Union's demands, although, tne official claimed that the award in this instance was but the logical result of the. contention set up that coat hands snould be better paid than the other classes of workers, on account of the twelve months' extra appenticeship. The general effect of the award, -said the officer interviewed, will.be to bring into line a few shops which have been doing cheap work at the expense of their employees, and so promote fairer and healthier competition.