AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14969, 16 May 1914, Page 5

AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS.

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' " ; (rMSS ASSOCUTIOX- TELEGBJUI.) I ' ■ -J WELLINGTON, May 15. I St-opß are now being taken by the Wellington branch, of'tlie Amalgamated Society of Enginoere, in common with branches in other centres, to -secure a now industrial award. The demands presonied by the men" are in some re-' specte far reatsbing. In ]jlace of the present working week of 46 J hours, \ the men ask that this stiall bo cut down to 44, and at the same time demand that very substantial increases in wages shall be granted all , round. As against tho ruling rate of from Iβ 3d to Is 4}d per hour, the men are seeking' a common rate of Is 8d per hour 3 and for.'pattern, makers who are now receiving Is 4sd, not less than Is BJd per hour. For drillers, screwers and | , otlier machinists ■ riot • othefwise men- ' tioned. Is 4}d per hour is &qn.ccht wjiile.for! leading hands an additional 25 per cent, upon the ratee mentioned is required. Another interesting claim is that workers when, required, to travel by sea shall be allowod saloon fares in place of steerage. A worker employed '.outside of the - employer's establishment shall be paid one shilling per day extra, or for any portion of a gay. Employees shall be paid their fares >both ways and reasonable travelling expenses, and if required to stay away from home shall ' receive their board and . lodging at \ os riant rates. When travellrng xi \ nighfc tjme by "train,- if at any time I second • class sleoping accommodation is provided, the employer' shall allcjv a second-class sleeping berth ticket. Special rates are demanded for overtime and work done ■on Sundays, Is a day estra for dirty work, the payment.of wages in the employees" time. tb.3 prohibition of piecework, and full preference to lunioniats. The proportion "of apprentices to the number of journeymen it is asked shall be restricted to as'one. to four, and the following rates' shall .bo paid:—First . year. 10s per we<?k; 6econd year 15s: I 'third year," 20s; fourth year, 3Ub ; and fifth year. 40s. : A •conference is proposed for the 26th inst. A prominent iron piaster, when askod by a reporter, for bis opinion a« to the I men's demands,' said*he was disgusted I ■ttith them. Referring U> the request ! for saloon -passages, he said this indeed | was "tho last straw." "The employers.' , he added, "will ' st-pnnotislv c-- ' pose neariy every item in the men's de- j mands." (