TIMBER INDUSTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 9

TIMBER INDUSTRY

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION FOR NEW AWARD [ Per Press Association. ] PALMERSTON N., May 5. Important proceedings governing the conditions of employment in the timber industry of the great part of the North Island were taken to-day when the Conciliation Council considered the proposals of the employing companies and the counter proposals of the employing unions for the terms of a new award to apply to the South Auckland, Taranaki and Wellington districts. Over 3000 workers and a large number of mills are involved. The unions are pressing for a 40-hour week, but the millers claim that they can establish a case for exemption under the projected legislation. The employers agreed to allow time and a-half for overtime on other than holidays and extra rates for night work, while the employers submitted a schedule of hourly rates for wages from Is 9jd to Is 6Jd. The counter proposals were for a weekly basis, the lowest-paid men to receive £1 10s. This is the major contention with the unions. During the proceedings the employers agreed to increase their schedule by •lid an hour for all classifications but the weekly basis to be further discussed. The unions are seeking ten days’ holiday on pay yearly. The employers said this was the equivalent of a penny an hour additional wages. It was stated by the employers that if every concession were to be made as demanded by the workers the result must inevitably be a cnsiderable increase in prices and so, indirectly, in the cost of living. Proceedings were adiourned till tomorrow.