CARPENTERS AND JOINERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15276, 28 June 1923, Page 5

CARPENTERS AND JOINERS.

DOMINION AWARD SOUGHT.

By Telesraph.—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. An important case affecting the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners' Association workers, .with a membership of 5000, came before the Arbitration Court this morning. Mr Fraser presided, and Messrs W. Scott (for the employers) and 11. Hunter (representing the employees) were the assessors. Messrs T. Bloodworth and E. C. Sutcliffe appeared for the pnion, and Mr W. A. W. Grenfell for the employers. The recent amendment to the Arbitration Act provides that associated Unions may apply for a Dominion award' and for separate unions to be added as respondents and included in the award.

Mr Bloodworth intimated that the application was for a Dominion award. The unions claimed, among other things, payment of a weekly wage of £5 10s and casual rates at 5s per hour. The union also asked that foremen receive an additional 10s per day, and that the present payment of 5s per day to men working in the country be continued. Mr Bloodworth said it had been agreed that a joint committee should consider certain important items, with a view to bringing forward when the award expires, or probably earlier, an agreement which would enable the trade ,as a whole to render better service to the community, and at the same time secure for the trade that consideration which its importance warranted. The union desired a weekly wage instead of the hourly basis which had hitherto been the custom of the trade. The union contended that the shortage of skilled men was largely the result of the system of payment by the hour and casual native employment. The union was seeking, he said, to get away from the cost of living basis of wages—"the fodder basis," lie termed it. He contended that 'the increases asked for were not likely to increase the cost of building. The case is proceeding.