CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12646, 2 June 1919, Page 6

CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

ENGINE DRIVERS’ DISPUTE. The Conciliation Council was engaged to- : day in. hearing an industrial dispute between the Canterbury Traction anil Stationary Engime Drivers, Firemen and Greasers’ Industrial Union ; of Workers and the Christchurch Tramway Board, Christchurch City Council, Christchurch Gas Company, and a lengthy list of other employers of engine-drivers, firemen and greasers. The assessors for tho employers were Messrs F. Cooper, F. W. Anderson and C. E. Otley. Tho union was represented by Messrs G. llenn, IV. Lawson and D. Maindonald. An application was mado by tho Canterbury Frozen Meat Company to bo struck off tho list of employers. Mr Renn stated that tho freezing companies had e, separate award. It was agreed to attach tho company as m party and let it apply to the Arbitration Court for exemption. An application from the New Zealand Rcirigoriittnsj. Company was similarly dealt with. Tho Chiistohurch Drainage Board was struck off the list of employers cited. A lengthy discussion took place on tho union's request for la a. day additional pay for workers employed in shifts. The employers opposed the union’s request, and it was decided to let tho union ranko application to the Court for its decision. A request by the union that in cases where two or more shifts are worked daily, tho men employed ir. tho shifts should change shifts in turn wa-s modified to read “ may change shifts.” Regarding tho question of overtime, the union asked for payment at the rate of timo and a halt for the first throe hours, and double time thereafter, in accordance with tlie Arbitration Court’s recent pronouncement on tho question of overtime. The assessors agreed that whore mochinery had to bo repaired after the usual stopping? time, payment at tho rate of time and a quarter should be made, * After some discussion it was agreed that overtime should bo paid at the rate of time and u. quarter. In tho case of traction engine drivers, it was agreed that any time worked in excess of nine- hours per day should bo paid for at overtime rates.