JOURNALISTS' CONDITIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16820, 24 August 1922, Page 7

JOURNALISTS' CONDITIONS.

ARBITRATION COURT’S AWARD. Tho award of the Arbitration Court dealing with the wages and conditions of journalists employed by tbe Christchurch newspaper proprietors was filed with the Clerk of Awards to-day. In the memorandum attached to the award the judge states that, the Court has settled the clauses relating to hours, wages, stab grading and holidays. A special clause had been inserted, dealing with journalists on the staff of the “ Referee." In other respects the award follows the recommendations of the Conciliation Counci', which the parties agreed to accept. For reporters employed by the Christ - church Press'' Company, Ltd. and the •' Lyttelton Times ” Company. Ltd., the hours on duty shall be spread over a period of not more than tAvelvo consecutive hours (including meal hours) in any cne period of twenty-four hours. Any time worked in excess of forty-eight, hours in any week shall be regarded as overtime. Overtime may be compensated for at the rate of one hour and a-half for each hour of overtime worked, or if not paid for in time off within fourteen days it shall bd paid for in caeh at the rate of time and a-half. For reporters employed by the Canterbury Publishing Company. Ltd.. the hours, calculated on actual work for the , ofljoe si)all nor exceed forty-eight per j weekly period and time in excess of fortyI eight, hours in the period shall be re- | garded as overtime. The minimum salaries payable to workers subject to the award shall be benior reporters £7 10s per week, general reporters £6 ss. juniors, first year. £4. second year £4 10s, cadets, first year £1 10s. second year £2 15s, third year £3 10s. Readers shall be paid not less than the minimum rates of wages (including bonuses) and overtime, and shall work the hours and be subject to the conditions for linolype operators in the Typographical Award for the time being in force. The first reader shall receive not less than 10s per week above the minimum rate lor readers. Copy-holders shall be paid as follows:—First year £1 ss. second year £1 IDs, third year £1 Jss, reviser £2 15s. A sub-editor in charge of the sub-editorial room, or in charge of a branch of the sub-editing work whose work is not supervised by a senior sub-editor, shall be paid .£8 per week. The first assistant subeditor shall be paid £6 15s and second assistant, sub-editor £5. A reporter employed during the Parliamentary session in Wellington shall receive an allowance of £3 per week m addition to his ordinary salary. Casual reporters shall he paid as follows:- -Up to four hours’ unbroken time Ids. over four hours’ £l ss. In addition to the minimum rates of wages provided for in the award a bonus of 4s 6d per week shall be paid to cadets and copyholders, and a bonus of per week to all other Avorkers. Reporters subject to the award shall be allowed one clear day off in every seven, anti also one-half day off from 1 p.m. in each seven days in the case of morning newspapers, and in the case of evening newspapers from 6 p.m. or earlier if possible, for reporters engaged on morning assignments. Sub-editors aud assistant sub-editors shall be alloAved three clear days off every fourteen days, in addition to one afternoon off from 1 p.m. in every seven. Sub-editors and chief leporters “hall be allowed three successive weeks' holiday on full pay in eaeh year and all others. tAvo successive weeks, such holiday in every third year of service being increased to three, successive weeks. Provision is mide for the existing award covering Avorkers on the staff of the “ Referee " ami other sporting papers to be incorporated in the award. The award will come into force on August 28. and continue in force until June 30, 1924.