TINSMITHS ORGANISING

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1126, 13 May 1911, Page 10

TINSMITHS ORGANISING

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON

PROPOSED DOMINION AWARD,

Delegates from the Federated Unions of Tinsmiths met in conference at the Wellington Trades Hall yesterday, for the purpose of considering the question of taking concerted action in tlip matter of obtaining a Dominion award. There were- present the following dolegates :—

Messrs. Poarce (Auckland), Dickorsou (Dunedin), Riches (Christehurch), Noot and Burns (Wellington). Mr. Pcarc'e was elected chairman, and Mr. Riches secretary of the conference. After discussion it was agreed that the basis of the. proposed award should, with slight alterations, bo the- demands of the Wellington Tinplato and Sheet Metal Workers' Union, which aro to como before tho Arbitration Court at its next sitting. These include, a stipulation for a forty-four hour week, work to commence at 8 a.m., and end at 5 p.m., oxcept on Saturdays, when work will cease at noon. Provision is also askcil for overtime rate, and it is stipulated that it shall not be competent tor an employer to employ an individual worker.for inoro than four hours' overtime in any one week while there is a competent journeyman out of employment. Piece- work is not to be permitted, nor shall employers let their work out "labour only." The minimum rate, of wages for competent journeymen, coppersmiths, sheet-metal and tinsmiths to bo Is. sd. per hour, and for competent galvanisers not less tiiftn lls'.' per' day : of 'bight hours''■''Prb.vis'ioif is made for under-rate workers. All necessary tools to bo provided bv the employer.. . Double., timo to bo paid for work done on Christinas Day,. Sunday,. Good Friday,' nnd Labour Day; time and a half for the other statutory holidays. . Boys working at tho trade lo be legally indentured for five years, but thren. months' probation to lie allowed. Minimum wages for apprentices to be: —First year, 7st. Gd. per week; second, 12s. Gd.; third, 17s. Gd.; fourth, 225. Gd.; fifth, 305.; all holidays to bo paid for. Proportion of apprentices to he ono to every throo journeymen or fraction thereof. Timo to bo paid for in travelling to and returning from work done- outside tho' employer's place .of business. .Preference, to unionists is asked'for, and an employer, when engaging a worker, shall ascertain if hois a member of the union, and, if not, his engagement shall bo subject to his becoming a member within ono week of being engaged. All journeymen to become members within mi& week of tho granting of tho award. A "shectinetal" worker is'also defined.

During the morning session, Mr. D. M'Luren, M.P., addressed the conference. Ho had consistently urged, ho said, that unions should federate, and as a member of tho Legislature ho would use his efforts to have Dominion awards placed upon a firmer basic. Tho employers' federations were well organised, and were making a combined"at-tack-.on labour legislation. Hence it was essential that a solid front should be presented to such attacks. . Mr. jjl Liren was accorded a vote of thanks for his address, and the conference then adjourned for lunch.

Tho afternoon session was devoted to committee business, and tho conference adjourned shortly before 5 p.m., to resume at 9 o'clock this morning.