ADDITIONAL WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20455, 7 November 1934, Page 10

ADDITIONAL WORK.

Upholstering of Imported Motor-cars. EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES. The effect that the recently amended tariff schedules won hi have on the motor body building industry, was discussed in the Arbitration Court this morning:, when the Canterbury Motor Body and Carriage Builders’ Industrial Union of Employers sought permission to engage female, labour at upholstery work that would have to be undertaken to a greater extent than has been the case up to the present. The Court—Mr Justice Frazer (president), and Messrs A. L. Monteith, employees’ representative and W. Cecil Prime, employers’ representative—was able to smooth over the employees’ objections to the insertion of the clause relating to girls in the agreement, by adding a provision that “ female machinists may be employed on machine work only.” ** During the course of argument it was submitted that the introduction of female labour to the industry would not involve unemployment among male trimmers, but would mean increased work for all engaged in trimming work. The application was supported by Mr H. I*2. F. Stevens, president of the Motor Body and Carriage Builders’ Association, and Mr 11. W. Armitage (secretary), while the employees were represented by Mr E. C. Sutcliffe (advocate) and Mr S. Pentecost, secretary °f the Canterbury Coach Builders’ Union of Employees. The clause round which the discussion centred suggested that the following should be added to the agreement: “ That female machinists may be employed at the following rates of wages:—First year, £1 per week; .second year, £1 7s; third year, £1 15s; and thereafter, £2 25.” Case for the Employers. Mr Armitage said that the grounds of the employers’ action were that the ’ Government had found it necessary to rescind the body duty on cars coming into New Zealand, and had replaced this with a knock down body instead. The result was that all motor bodies coming into the Dominion could not be imported economically if 'upholstered. As this would involve considerable additional work in the trimming section of the industry, it would be necessary to have women machinists. Mr Sutcliffe said the union submitted that as a complete agreement was entered into as long ago as August, 1933, and that agreement had only a short period to run, the agreement should be left tmdisturbed. There was a lot of work “ threatened,” but some years ago, when similar work was undertaken with the renewal of theatre seats, the employers were able to cope with it without female labour. Christchurch had never had female labour in the industry, and whether Wellington had set a good or a bad example in that connection, time would show. “ Long View Needed.” Mr Stevens said the object of the clause was to enable each province to deal with the cars coming to it. It was necessary to take the long view. If Christchurch did not have the clause asked for, it would be impossible for local employers to give quotes and the work would go to Wellington. His Honor asked the employers’ representative if they were prepared to undertake that the girls would be employed on machines only. Mr Stevens: Certainly. His Honor: Suppose then that we make the clause read: “Female machinists may be employed on machine work only.” Mr Stevens: I think machining would carry us over the first part of of the contract. His Honor: This is a new undertaking, and I think the clause will tide you over for the next nine months. Mr Stevens: I think that will suit us fine. Mr Sutcliffe: That will be acceptable to the union. ( His Honor: I am very glad that we have been able to patch up the matter for you.