“NO SWEATING.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 930, 28 November 1933, Page 7

“NO SWEATING.”

Employment of Workers in Clothing Trade. “ Christchurch employers have never attempted to force upon their workers anything savouring of so-called ‘ sweated ’ methods.” That was the reply made by Mr D. I. Macdonald during the hearing of the clothing trade dispute this morning, when Mr J. Roberts suggested that certain employers might take advantage of their employees if there were not some restrictions in the employment of female workers in the industry. “ I am absolutely sure that if there are no restrictions as to the employment of young women in factories, there are some employers who will take an advantage of the position,” declared Mr Roberts, when the employers suggested that instead of having apprentices in the industry there should be learners. Mr Macdonald replied that the conditions of the industry were such that rigid restrictions relating to the employment of young female workers were a hindrance to the employment of young women. “ Christchurch employers cannot be judged on the standard set by any other district,” added Mr Macdonald. “ They have never attempted to force upon the workers anything savouring of so-called sweated methods, and everyone with any knowledge of the industry knows that.” Mr Roberts Southern manufacturers have to meet competition from factories where “ sweating ” prevails. There may be an unfortunate tendency to adopt the same conditions : if there are no restrictions in the trade. The applicants in the dispute were Messrs Beath and Company Ltd., and other clothing manufacturers in Christchurch. The Christchurch Tailoresses, Cutters, Pressers, and Other Clothing Trade Employees Industrial Union of Workers was the respondent. The Conciliation Commissioner, Mr S. Ritchie, presided. The assessors were: Employers, Messrs C. Ogilvie, F. Creswell, A. J. Duncan, and D. I. Macdonald; employees, Miss T. Harvey, and Messrs G. T. Thurston, T. Trenberth and J. Roberts (agent). The employers asked for a forty-four-hour week. Overtime rates were set out at time and a quarter. The wages suggested for female learners were 10s per week for the first six months, rising by 2s 6d each six months thereafter to £1 7s Gd. For journeywomen the minimum wage suggested was £1 12s 6d per week, and for male cutters £3 15s per week. The employees asked for a continuation of the present award, with the addition that there should not be more than two apprentices to every journeywoman. The rates of wages asked were: Apprentices and improvers 15s per week, rising by 2s 6d increments every six months to £1 15s; journeywomen, £2 5s per week; male cutters, £4 7s 6d per week. After a private conference of assessors, Mr Macdonald announced that the employers had offered to accept apprentices on a term of three years, with a period of six months probation, the proportion of apprentices to journeywomen to be as suggested by the employees. The employers also agreed to amend their original wage proposals, making the wage for journeywomen £2 0s 6d, and £3 18s 9d for male cutters. The wage for female learners was also amended to £1 10s per week. The council adjourned at 12.15.