WORKERS’ REQUEST FOR HIGHER WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17756, 28 January 1926, Page 7

WORKERS’ REQUEST FOR HIGHER WAGES.

NEW AWARD DEMANDS BY BUILDERS’ LABOURERS.

A dispute I'fitween the Canterbury Builders’ and Contractors’ General Labourers' _ Union and the Canterbury Builders' and Contractors' Association was heard by a Council of Conciliation this morning. The Commissioner (Mr W. H. Hagger) presided and the assessors were as follow: —For the union, Messrs H. Worrall, J. Seaton and l'». Worsfold; Yor the employers, Messrs W, H. Winsor, J. W. Graham and G. L. Bull. The claims of the union, which was the applicant party in the dispute, were for increases in wages and improvements in the working conditions. The employers agreed to clauses ,1. 4. 5. G, 9, 11, 12 and 13 of che claims, but in regard to the clauses dealing with hours of work, rates of wages, suburban work, country work, tools, dirty places and notification, their counter-proposals were the provisions in the old award. With regard to hours of work, the parties agreed to the clause in the present award, with the exception of the union's claim that workers engaged on shifts when carrying out public contracts or public works should receive not less than Id per hour over and above their ordinary rates, and that a crib-time of not less than half an hour shouid be allowed in each shift without any deduction from the worker's pay, the clause not to applv except where workers are engaged on' three or more shifts. The clause was held over in the meantime. The union claimed the following minimum rates of wages:—Tunnelmen at tunnel work, timber work or sinking shafts over Bft, men engaged timbering for sewer work, laying concrete foundations for sewer pipes, or excavating where trench in over Bft, 2s 6d per hour. Men in charge of derrick or scaffolding, 2s 5d per hour. Men engaged cleaning out or repairing old sewers. 2s 6d per hour. Men engaged in cleaning out rivers. 2s 3d per hour, and shall be provided with gum boots whilst so engaged. All other classes of labour, 2s per hour. Mr Worrall said that men whoso conditions they were considering were engaged in casual work, which was subject to weather interruptions. Very few men were able to get a full week in, but when they were fortunate enough to get a full week's work their wages, under the present award rate, were only £4 0s 8d a week. The Arbitration Court bad recognised that the cost of living had gone up and hod stated that it was going to increase wages by one penny an hour, and was even prepared to amend existing awards If the employers and workers made a joint application. Mr Worrall then dealt; in detail with the classes of work povered by the union's claims. He saidfchat reputable builders and contractors were at present paying the rates the Union wls asking for, and it would bo a protection to them to agree to the claims. Mr Winsor said that because the employers were exercising their privilege, of paying certain men more than the award rate that was not a reason for boosting up the award rate. Mr Worrall said that the union wanted the unscrupulous employers to be compelled to pay the same rates as the decent, employers. Mr Winsor said that to boost the rate would be injuring employers who had to employ inferior men. After further discussion the clause was held over. The clauses dealing with payment of wages, overtime. holidays and wet places were agreed to. The union claimed a reduction in the travelling distance from two miles to a mile and a half. With regard to country work the union asked for |he clause in the present award, which provides for an additional lodging allowance of 5s a day for six days a week.. The union asked that all tools should be provided by the employers. The clauses dealing with accommodation and sanitation, termination of engagement, under-rate workers and preference were agreed to. A claim of Is a day extra was made by the union for work in dirty places. The claim was agreed to, a "dirty place ’’ being defined to mean the demolishing of old buildings or chimneys, assisting to take out. or re-set ranges, cleaning, repairing or altering storm water drains. A new clause asked for by the union was as follows:—"All employers shall supply a list of men in their employ when requested to do so by the secretary of the union, not more frequently than once a month.” Mr Winsor said ho was absolutely opposed to the clause. the Labour Department wanted information of that sort he was quite prepared to give it, but he did not believe in giving it to another organisation. Mr Graham said that the employers had had experience of having been persecuted by union secretaries. The union agreed to withdraw tho clause on the understanding that the employers would observe the spirit of the claim.