BAKERS' WAGES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16143, 22 February 1918, Page 4

BAKERS' WAGES.

CONCILIATION COUNCIL

PROCEEDINGS

The Council of Conciliation met yesterday to consider the dispute in the baking trade, Mr W. H. Hagger, Conciliation Commissioner, presiding.

The employers' assessors were : Messrs C. E. Boon, H. Bruce, and H. M. Hawkins. The Union's agent was Sir J. S. Wilson; and its assessors, Messrs H. Chillingworth and C. Campbell.

The Commissioner said that apparently the employers were under a misunderstanding as to the number of assessors they could appoint, having appointed six—three to represent tlie lakers, and three the pastry-cooks. Only three could act unless the dispute was' separated, and Drought as two disputes. Mr E. C. Cook, one of the employers' assessors, withdrew from the/table, but remained in tlie room during the proceedings.

Tho employers put in, as counterproposals, the old award. The principal alteration asked by the union was an increase of w ages: Foreman bakers or foreman pastrycooks from £3 10s to £4 10s; journeymen bakers, or journeymen pastrycooks, from £3 to £4.

An application by Mr S. Thomson (W. Thomson, Cambridge terrace) for exemption on the ground that he was not engaged in work covered by the proposed award, was dismissed after the Commissioner had heard the applicant in support.

Considerable discussion ensued in respect of the union's demand for holidays and payment for work thereon, but no agreement -was arrived at. The union asked for double time for work done on any of ten holidays, in the year, sponging and doughing on holidays and Sundays not to be charged at the double time rate. The Commissioner pointed out. referring to the preference clause proposed by the union, that it was tantamount to compulsory unionism, and was not likely to he approved by the Court. The Court's prcfcrcnco clan so was agreed to, a non-unionist to become a member of the union within seven days of being employed. It was agreed that the proposed award should operate in the portion of Canterbury north of the rivr;r llangitata, aud that it should remain in force for three years Objection was raised by the employers' representatives to the proposed increase of -wages, Mr Hawkins arguing that tho present profit would not stand it; in addition, the price of bread was fixed by the Board of Trade. A baker baking 600 loaves a week -would, if wages were increased as asked for, have th<T labour cost increased by 2d per loaf, which would leave no profit. The Commissioner said that if the labour cost increased it would be a good "round for asking the Board of Trade to increase the price of bread. No agreement was arrived at on the waat-s clause, and it was decided to hold it over for tbo Commissioner io ascertain the rates ruling elsewhere in the Dominion. The whole matter was adjourned till March 13th. at 10.30 a.m. Bishop Welldon went behind the frcenos at eia;ht Manchester theatres recently to invite tin* players to a spool;)! service in the cathedral on Sunday afternoon in memory ol actors killed in the war.