Freezing Workers' Case For Extra Halfpenny

Chronicle (Levin), 16 July 1949, Page 6

Freezing Workers' Case For Extra Halfpenny

WELLINGTON, July 15. . A wliolesale extra Ad an hour for 15categories of, hourly workers in the freezing works industry to bring tlteir reeent wage increase from 34d to 4d an liour which was granted to skilled workers was sought by the New Zea- 1 land Freezing Workers' Union before Mr. Judge Dalglish in the Court 'of Arbitration toda'y. The classihcations comprise the baekbone of the skilled key hourly workers ' in the industry, said Messrs A. G. Kilpatriek and 8. Giles who' appeared for the workers. "They are usualiy jobs held by the solid nucleus of workers with years of experienee. Having mainta'ined production in oue of the •

Lominion's most "important basic inAlusti'ies, are they now " to be told that compared with,;, clerical workers and shop assistants* and some groups covered by the seamen's award that their work for the country is uuskilled and of less valtie? In the two former cases the Court in applying its recent order had granted them the full 4d for being "skilled workers," it was submitted. A clear forward-looking policy in the freezing industry would concede as a morale building factor of the greatest iiuportance the workers' claim for the extra id an liour. They desired recognition of the claim that they were skilled workers and psychologically il would be a good investment for the industry. iSimilar increases in piecework rates of pay were also sought by the union. i'he workers' claim is based on the 'skill" of the workers concerned and the claim ineans that they shall receive -kl an liour extra instead of the 3-id already advanced by the Court. The: submissions were presented for the einployers by Messrs J. B. Walton and C. B. Wilkins. "The employers submit that the Court has already takeu tliis factor into consideration when making its amendment. Further, in arriving at its estimate of a skilled worker tlie Court has clearly demonstrated by niany amendments issued to date that a skilled worker is cne who before qualif'ying for a skilled journeyman 's rate of pay or the maximum adult rate based on experienee he has served a term of apprenticeship or its equivalent. " It was submitted that the Court* should at this stage iuerely decide the principles to be adopted if anv amendment were niade to piecework rates so that if neeessary the parties could ineet again and negotiate respective individual rates accordingly.