Dairy Workers Claim Pay Increases

Chronicle (Levin), 8 September 1948, Page 7

Dairy Workers Claim Pay Increases

. WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. The payment of men's wage rates to women workers in the industry and above award rates for holders of dairying diplomas, were among the claims inade by Mr. L. D. Robertson (seeretaly), when outlining in Coneiliation Council today, the Dairy Factories Employees ' Union c.ase for increased pay. . Increases sought by the union range from £7 12s 2d to £9 15s for first assistaiits andif oremen and £6 7s to £7 5s for basic wage workers. Additionai increases are also sought for the higheSi paid classified workers in butter factories, in proportion to the output oi the factories. Mr. Robertson said women eoming into the industry eventually did the wOrk of men and it was the union 's policy that they sh'ould be paid equally with men. The union 's claim for an extra 5s weekly for holders- of Massey Agricultural College diplomas, was a move to give such workers compensation for the expense they incurred in gaining theru. Urging a more extensive classification of workers in the industry, Mr. Robertson said the present elassifica tion was all wrong and it was time it was clarified. Mr. J. R. Hanlon, advocate for the employers, said if the union had its own way, the number of employees in the category "other workers," would be in the minority. The position, he said, would become unwieldy with too many classified workers. Mr. A. Hayward (employers): Wp could not concede this overclassification. In a busy season we have to put on aii extra shift and if these men were under your classificatiou, we would have to carry them when the season falls away. Nature gives us a good seasbn once in a while. It would be foblish to keep these men on all the time, Mr. J. Ross (employees): The fact is that the factories have nqt been built big enough and lack of facilities necessitates extra shifts. Mr. Hayward: Not at all. It would be uneconomical to build bigger factories. We go for three or four years before we get a season out of the ordinary. Mr. J. R. Hanlon said the employers were not prepared to reduce the hours of work or increase wages. He said the Court, a year ago, had adjusted the rates of pay in the industry to bring them into line with other workers. Mr. L. J. Rundle (employers) said the altered exchange rate affected the claims as there should be a decrease of from 7 to 10 per. cent. in ,thq cost of living, which meant, he said, that the workers got n corresponding in-. creased reward for labour. Aii agfeement' was feached by 'both side's to a&jouru un'tll tomorrow in order ^ that jtlie"! arguments of both parties might b.e stuijied.