DRIVERS' UNION AWARD

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21409, 27 February 1935, Page 8

DRIVERS' UNION AWARD

NO AGREEMENT ON WAGE-RATES , MEETING OF CONCILIATION COUNCIL No definite agreement was reached oft. the terms of au award applied for by the Canterbury Drivers' Union at a meeting of the Conciliation Council yesterday. The award had already been discussed at two previous meetings, the question having been whether the employers would adopt the scale of wage payments in force in Wellington. The discussion had been adjourned to yesterday's meeting so that consideration might be given to a proposal of a temporary award, under which wages wouid be paid for six months at the Wellington rates. The union has been without an award lor two years. Mr S. Ritchie, Conciliation Commissioner, was in the chair. The employees were represents d by Messrs H. McCaw, W. Curtis, J. Nuttall, and 15. Parlane, and the employers by Messrs D. I. Macdonald. 11. J. Otley. C. F„ Ot.ley, and T. S. Young. The wages paid under the Wellington award, which were those desired by the union, are as follows: —One horse drivers £3 17s Bd, two or more horses £4 Is, motors up to two tons £3 10s, from two to four tons £4 is fid, four to five tons and a half £4 3s 6d, five tons and a half to 10 tons £4 7s, over 10 tons £4 9s 6d, and tractor drivers £4 2s 9d.

Employers' Offer Mr Macdonald said that a full meeting of Iho employers had decided that the Wellington wages could not be accepted. There was an objection to the making of a short-term award, as it had been stated definitely that the union would not accept less than the wages paid in Wellington. The employers were now in a position to renew an offer which had been made in July last. but which had been withdrawn at the second meeting. The wages offered were:—One hor.se drivers Cu 15.5, two or more horses £3 17s !)d, motors up to two tons £3 173 fid. two to four tons £3 19s 9d, lour to five tons and a half £4 2s, live tons and a half to 10 tons £4 5s 6d, over 10 tons £4 Bs, tractor drivers £4 Is 3d. The wages paid originally had been reduced by 10 per cent., and then by a further 10 per cent., said Mr Macdonakl, and the employers were proposing to give back 5 per cent. Further Adjournment

This offer was discussed, the employees' representatives being dissatisfied with the rates suggested for horse drivers as compared with those under the Wellington award. Mr Parlane suggested that the rates be fixed at Is (id below the Wellington rates in each case, and that the rates so amended should be submitted for consideration by the union. After a short retirement, the employers' representatives put forward an alternative scjlc, with minor variations of the rates paid to horse drivers and drivers of the lighter motor trucks. Further discussion of the wages question was deferred, and afLer consideration of details of the award a further adjournment was agreed to. The council will meet again next Monday.