CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19862, 3 February 1920, Page 6

CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

MUSICIANS’ DISPUTE. . The Conciliation Council met this- morning to hear a dispute brought br the Chrisleburch Performing Musicians’ Union. Mr • (Conciliation Commissioner) presided, and tho assessors wore as follow “lor the union, Messrs C. Renn, H. Pooro \ i l ' oX , for t!l ° employers, Messrs Pert Hoyle (or Williamsons. Ltd., 'WeliincWaters cn(J J - Regs (Christ’J he union proposils asked for £3 17s 6d per v.-eck for six performances at general theatres, including operatic, picture,, dramatic, couicdy and vaudeville performances. fJi«- ICr?Sn ?m rs to be pni(i 12s for ooch matinee. Ino old award rates were £3 Ifla end 10s respectively. F or pcrfcrmcra cinp.oyed permanently at vaudeville or variety rlmwr, a wage of £:i 12s 6d a week was asked, with 12s for each matinee utter the first told rates £:j 5 S and Ids). Performers at permanent picture entertainments to be paid at the rate of not less than £3 5$ tor sis performances, averaging not more than three and a quarter hours for each performance; in excess of that time at the rate of 5s an hour (old rales £3 5s and bd . First matinee, 7s Cd; 11s for each subsequent mntinco in a week. Iu regard to continuous picture entertainments, the following wore the union proposals Where pianists only are employed performers shall be paid not less than £1 os per week of six performances of not more tba.ii throo and three-quarter hours per day. In excess of ihrso aud three-quarter hours,to bo paid for at the rat-j of 5s per hour. Where an orchestra is employed, not less than £3 os shall be paid to each performer for ivclvo performances o: not more than six an* a half hours daily, and not more than three and a quarter hours consecutively. Vi hero an orchestra is employed for cue performance nightly, not less than £3 5s per week shall bo paid to each performer, no performance to exceed throe hours. Performers shall bo paid not less than 7s 6d for first matinee, and 11s each tor subsequent matinees in each week. Rehearsals for this class of entertainment shall not exceed two hours each week. For the purpose of this award a picture theatre shall bo deemed continuous in the event of its screening tho same programme or a portion thereof mote than once daily. A picture theatre shall bo deemed permanent in the event of its screening a programme three or mor6 times weekly. Performers on mechanical instruments to receive as wuges an amount equal to 75 per cent paid to musical performers in the respective classes of entertainments. Tho hours of work shall not excoed three and three-quarters per day. In excess of threa and a quarter hqurs to bo paid for at the rate of -is per hour. The leader or musical director to be paid not less than 40s per week above ordinary rates. Under the old sward the, weekly rate for pianist only was £3 os for sis performances of not. more than five and a half hours a day; sis hour day performer, £3 Cs; seven hours, £3 10s. Where nu orchestra was employed the rate was £4 15s, and where an orchestra was employed for one performance nightly and one .matinee in each week the rate was £3 ss. The leader of the orchestra was paid 10s a week extra. Tho union asked that the rates for touring performers, bo £5 Cs a.nd 15s for each matinee (old rale £4 10s and 10s). Tho proposals alio included rates tor performers at dances, assemblies, balls, country engagements, refreshment rooms and hotels, skating rinks and other engagements, such as picnics, races, garden parties, sports, bazaars, exhibitions and so forth in all cases Increases being asked for. For work in excess of the ordinary time 5s an hour was asked (old rate 3s 6d) except where otherwise specified. Mr Royle said that tho employers offered the Auckland award as counter-proposals. That was a recent award and showed a general advance. Tho employers hoped tho Christchurch musicians would accept the offer. There seemed to be a tendency for each district to try to go one better. Thus between tho four big centres there was a continual see-aaw. The Auckland award was a fair one. Mr Her.n replied that it was considered in Christchurch that tho Auckland award was a calamity, the rates being'out or proportion to the work done. After discussion on the Auckland award, tho union assessors retired for private consideration, and on returning Mr Bonn intimated that tho union could not agree to Mr Hoyle’s suggestion ■ and would press its own proposals. Mr Royle: It is surely going rather far for Mr Heim to say that -the Auckland award is a calamity. Mr Hcnn: Well, that is our view. Tho wages proposals were then discussed and several private conferences took place. In preliminary discussion it was agreed that a general advance of 5s a week with lessened hours in certain instances was a fair basis of settlement. So far ns continuous pictures were concerned the employers offered a minimum of £3 5s per week for day pianists, in the alternative pay at tho rate of 2j 3d an hour, the performer to have the option of playing for ?. period 'extending over seven hours. The union objected to this proposal, and suggested the employment of two pianists at the minimum rate. Mr Rocii- pointed out that members of tho union did not favour the employment of one pianist over a period of sevon hours, the work being of exhausting character, especially J so far as women were concerned